Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The decision also addresses whether the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis aggravated his pre-existing hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to gunfire while serving on a Navy ship. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 19, 2011 to June 21, 2011 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was deemed necessary due to his severe symptoms and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his active service and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board finds that his claim for a higher initial rating cannot be granted as there is no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling since September 9, 2008. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating due to increased severity of his service-connected hearing impairment.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of injury to the right ear during service and current hearing loss cannot be attributed to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no current diagnosed disability, and the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for facial palsy was denied as he does not currently have this condition. The claims for higher initial ratings for the right shoulder and knee disabilities, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He has been placed on the waiting list and now requests a videoconference hearing instead.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's assertions of in-service injuries are considered, as is his history of falls related to his knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted in January 2013. The claim for chronic headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new audiological examination. The propriety of the reduction in his prostate cancer disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective May 1, 2014, will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria for service connection, and the examiner concluded that any tinnitus was less likely than not caused by noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown in service or within one year of separation, and the medical evidence does not support a connection to service. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss is less likely related to his period of service.