Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service due to lack of evidence of symptoms during or shortly after service, and no clear and convincing evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has established a nexus between his COPD and skin cancer with exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus of the left ear, finding that new evidence supports a grant of service connection. The decision is based on noise exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the October 31, 1986 accident report and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding his tinnitus and feet disabilities.

The case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for an audiological examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of his bilateral hearing loss. A VA examination is also necessary to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity sensory deficit, right lower extremity sciatic nerve deficit, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve deficit are not entitled to higher initial ratings as the evidence does not support a finding of more than mild or moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board Videoconference hearing due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not a result of injury in service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a VA examination regarding his service-connected occipital scalp laceration. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neurological residuals of maxillary and mandibular fractures, and generalized anxiety disorder are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss or low back disability, and the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service noise exposure are not credible. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence, and concluded that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA audiological examination.