Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in service, as it clearly and unmistakably preexisted his military service and did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether he currently has a hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation standards, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear evidence in the record regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from July 23, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure during service and the examiner determined it was more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the appellant's hearing loss and low back disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is less likely than not due to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to hazardous noise exposure sustained in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is reasonably shown to have begun during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA outpatient records, specifically from October 2010 through January 2013. The appellant's claims file should be forwarded to an audiologist for an addendum opinion regarding whether hearing loss and/or tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection in October 2008, and his auditory acuity levels have fluctuated over time. The current average hearing thresholds are 64 decibels in the right ear and 69 decibels in the left ear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examinations did not support a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gout, hearing loss, and asthma. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.