Hearing loss Board decisions

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted due to continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish its onset during service or relate it to military service.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision is not complete and requires additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development due to an inadequate VA examination report. The Veteran will need a new VA audiological examination to determine the extent and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and denied the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD. The claim for low back disability was reopened due to new evidence provided by a private physician. Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss disability based on in-service noise exposure without protection. PTSD is also service-connected as it is linked to an in-service stressor that has been corroborated.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during service and continue since then, warranting service connection under the benefit of the doubt.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. However, he is found to have a left ear hearing loss disability related to service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and his tinnitus is related to service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases, including a penile cyst. The Veteran's currently diagnosed penile benign cyst is not caused by his service-connected gonorrhea from over 40 years ago.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear tinnitus, effective March 19, 2010. The Veteran's claim for a right ear disability and hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board denied a rating higher than the current 60 percent for residuals of an acoustic neuroma at the right cerebrellopontine angle, as the separate ratings for right facial palsy, tinnitus, right hearing loss, and aphthous stomatitis do not exceed the current single 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear is denied. His tinnitus has been granted a 10% rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all related to service. The decision is granted for these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for external otitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinea versicolor, and recurrent tinnitus. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and the tinnitus claim was denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an audiologist examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SOC).

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.