Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it originated during active service and he was exposed to noise there. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a skin examination to assess the severity of his warts. An addendum opinion on tinnitus and its etiology will also be needed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran sustained acoustic trauma during service, but there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for the Veteran's back disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his disability is currently rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to allow for further development of the record, including a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have onset during active service, was not caused by active service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently confirmed, but a definitive opinion regarding its etiology cannot be provided without resorting to speculation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not present during active duty service or for many years after service, and did not have its onset during a period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left hand ring finger disability, and neck disability are related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise from artillery guns. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are of such severity as to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran sustained acoustic trauma in service, had a current disability of sensorineural hearing loss (bilateral hearing loss), and credible evidence of symptoms since service separation. For tinnitus, the Board found that the Veteran reported onset during service and has consistent statements regarding his tinnitus symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a 3-way videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for residuals of a right foot fracture were denied. The Board found that the Veteran had Level I hearing in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and night sweats resulting in sleep disturbance were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The right ear hearing loss claim is denied due to lack of a current disability, no manifestation within one year post-service, and no medical opinion linking it to service. Night sweats are not considered related to an undiagnosed illness.