Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to service. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints, treatments, or findings of these conditions during his military service. His current diagnoses were first noted many years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in April 2009 is insufficient to determine if there is a causal connection between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his period of service, including his claimed in-service noise exposure. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is reasonably shown to be related to acoustic trauma in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right knee disability claim remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active duty service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the remaining claims as there is no evidence of a current bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (specifically PTSD and depression/anxiety), or hypertension that is related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but left ear hearing loss remains pending as the evidence is not sufficient to meet the threshold criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of diabetes mellitus, PTSD service connection, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or service connection for PTSD or bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, specifically concerning the relationship between current conditions and service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional development is needed, including verification of service dates and obtaining STRs. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and low back disability will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be adjudicated, including verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lower back condition due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and left ear hearing loss is established with right ear hearing loss also being established.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for which service connection may be granted. The VA examination results do not meet VA criteria for a disability during the pendency of the appeal or prior to the Veteran filing a claim for benefits.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU on October 30, 2009, and his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the TDIU rating is set at October 30, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for right testicle scar, residual of right hydrocele removal and orchiopexy is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II based on presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown to be productive of worse than Level I hearing acuity in the right ear or Level II hearing acuity on the left.,For the period prior to October 25, 2013, the service-connected DDD of the cervical spine was shown to have a combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees at its most limited.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and determined that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA audiometric examination reports. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an effective date earlier than November 27, 2006 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.