Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination with an otolaryngologist (ENT). The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated in relation to his service exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by his National Guard service, including both active duty and reserve duties.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure the Veteran receives proper VCAA notice regarding his secondary service connection claim for a low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss in 1992, and the Veteran did not appeal. The claim was reopened on May 10, 2010, and granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his military service. The Veteran had normal hearing at separation, and there were no significant changes in hearing thresholds during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board finds that a higher initial rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by at worst Level I hearing acuity in the right ear and Level II hearing acuity in the left ear, resulting in a zero percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds at each of the four specified frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) being 55 decibels or more in one ear. The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss of the left ear, and his claims for other conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of his right ear hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board after any additional development.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and all issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examinations did not find any current disability for either condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for bilateral tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral chronic otitis media. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression). The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss requires further development before being decided on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for hearing loss was denied as it could not be presumed due to a lack of evidence within one year post-service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA compensation standards, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his period of active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.