Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Headaches have not been linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's otosclerosis in the left ear with hearing loss and left homonymous hemianopsia are related to his active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as the Board finds that the current disability was caused by exposure to loud noise during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active service, and he currently has diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with continuous symptoms since service separation. Tinnitus is also linked to his military service. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his hearing disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any currently shown hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is not related to service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. He is currently rated 10% for the disability since February 6, 2013.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and arranging for a new VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are expected to be considered in determining his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities, and the Veteran's lay statements were not credible. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any current tinnitus to service. The Veteran's self-reported history of persistent tinnitus since service was not supported by post-service treatment records. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability in November 2006, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not related to his military service. The claim is being reopened based on new evidence submitted since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.