Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, with the evidence being in equipoise on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are pending as there is no current evidence of record confirming their onset during or within one year after service. The Board will need to obtain updated medical records to determine if these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, as it is secondary to a pre-existing low back disability.,Hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations in denying service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus granted severance of this condition. The Veteran's other claims were denied as there is no evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

Service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address audiometric findings, right foot disability, and service connection for residuals of a burn of the left arm. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current level of bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria to qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted this claim on the merits, finding that there is a current disability (bilateral hearing loss), an in-service noise exposure, and a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is an approximate balance of evidence in regard to these conditions. The Veteran was exposed to noise during his active duty service, which he reported resulted in hearing problems since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, or tooth and jaw disability for VA purposes. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, including the propriety of reducing his disability rating from 10 percent to noncompensable effective September 1, 2011, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.