Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically duty on the avionics flight line. The Veteran has current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus which is at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during active duty in Vietnam. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear and finds that it was incurred in service. The decision grants service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his pre-existing right ear hearing loss that he contends was aggravated by noise exposure during military service. The VA examiner found no increase in severity of the condition during service, but concluded it is at least as likely as not due to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his period of service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left great toe disability is not currently addressed as the issue was remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder have all been denied. The only condition found to be service connected is the pre-existing left femur fracture with residual leg shortening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, while his neurologic impairment of both upper extremities is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.

The Board has determined that effective dates of October 17, 2011 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and February 28, 2012 for cold weather injury of right foot and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity are warranted based on the Veteran's intent to apply for benefits.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the schedular criteria were adequate to rate his disability, and there were no related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and scheduling him for a hearing on his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at 20 percent prior to April 4, 2013. Since then, it has been rated as 30 percent.,Service connection for left eye disorder other than preexisting corneal cloudiness was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is more likely than not related to his period of inactive duty for training (IDT) in 1976, where he was exposed to an explosion. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease. The earliest clinical record of complaints about hearing loss was 12 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations related to his bilateral CTS, psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.