Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA audiological evaluations and addressing the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are supported by competent medical evidence, and his testimony regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service is credible. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's postoperative prostate cancer is rated at 10 percent prior to May 3, 2011; 40 percent from May 3, 2011 to January 17, 2012; and 20 percent from January 17, 2012. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to report for VA examinations and lack of transportation options. The claim will be reconsidered after scheduling a new examination.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both considered to have onset during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to establish chronicity or continuity of care. The VA examiners concluded that the current disabilities were more likely caused by occupational and recreational noise exposure in civilian life.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for compensation purposes and his right ear sensorineural hearing loss is not causally related to service or noise exposure therein. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service, nor are they otherwise related to active duty. The VA examinations conducted found no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was found to be aggravated by his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service due to noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate consideration of his service connection contentions, including an in-service noise exposure incident. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as the private treatment records have not been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his military service, specifically the loud noises he was exposed to during active duty. The Board finds that this condition can be reasonably disassociated from his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there was no credible evidence of noise exposure during service. The VA examiner considered a more accurate history of post-service noise exposure but still concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service.