Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's service periods and a need for an opinion regarding whether his current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of cold injury with osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum to the VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are etiologically related to noise exposure during active military service. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left eye disability, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities or present symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to April 27, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as 10 percent disabling since April 18, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed.

The Veteran's hearing loss and joint pain are not related to service, but his tinnitus is related. The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied as the evidence does not show that he is entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to July 5, 2012, and in excess of 70 percent from July 5, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the May 2008 denial of a higher initial rating became final, and any subsequent claims were freestanding.