Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and outstanding relevant medical records. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded this matter for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the reopening of his claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine will be addressed at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability and his military service. The Veteran did not experience significant shifts in hearing thresholds during service, and his post-service noise exposure was minimal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rash/skin disorder, bilateral eye/vision disorder, and residuals of strep throat. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is found to have contributed substantially and materially to his death from acute pulmonary edema.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since June 19, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve a determination of service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional evidence, including an addendum report from a VA physician who examined the Veteran in December 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not manifest during active service or within one year post-service, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner opined that the current bilateral hearing loss disability is less likely than not related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2008 and is currently rated at 0 percent from August 1, 2008 to April 22, 2013. The claim for an increased rating remains on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to January 3, 2011, and a higher than 10 percent rating as of January 3, 2011, for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for another VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are all service-connected. Tinnitus was found to be incurred in active service. Right ear hearing loss is considered aggravated by active service. Left ear hearing loss is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a pulmonary disorder are under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and granted a claim of entitlement. The left knee strain and GERD ratings are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not supported by credible evidence of a continuity of symptomatology since service or an association with service. The claims will be remanded to further develop the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with a grant of service connection for both conditions.