Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability had onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The Board found the VA medical opinions more persuasive than the private examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is likely due to noise exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest due to or as a consequence of acute myocardial infarction and coronary atherosclerosis, which were related to his in-service high blood pressure readings and chest pains. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected right ear hearing loss has been denied as he did not have compensable hearing loss in his right ear at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his active duty, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a right knee meniscal tear, left and right knee arthritis. The Veteran's eye disorder is being remanded for further examination. Service connection for hip and back disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), high blood pressure (due to diabetes mellitus), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus attributable to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, or cervical spine disorder. For his right knee disability, a compensable rating was granted but no more than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the reopening of his claim for service connection for left ear otitis media. The Board found that bilateral mixed hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions within one year post-service discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The reduction of the rating from 40 to 30 percent as of May 1, 2008 was also denied due to inadequate evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is likely due to in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for dizziness remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a respiratory disability remains on appeal.