Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is caused by his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent since April 8, 2008. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as loss of balance and motion sickness), including as secondary to left tympanic membrane perforation.

The Veteran did not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes at the time of his November 2009 claim and has not had one since.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher initial rating during the appeal period, as his hearing impairment was consistently rated at zero percent (noncompensable).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to further development being required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's recurrent headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his recurrent headaches.

The Board found that left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. However, his claims for right ear hearing loss and lung disability are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, clarifying the use of the Maryland CNC test in a previous audiometric evaluation, scheduling a VA examination, and obtaining clarification on the Veteran's hearing loss complaints.

The Board has determined that the proposed severance of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and special monthly compensation based on deafness was improper. The Veteran's original service connection was granted due to in-service noise exposure leading to current hearing impairment.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was permanently aggravated by his period of service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability and there is no link between his service and these conditions. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.