Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA audiological examination, and addressing the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he contends was caused by noise exposure during his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed for the Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss claims due to his incarceration at Deerfield Correctional Center. The RO/AMC will attempt to arrange transportation or contact the correctional facility to conduct these examinations, or schedule them off-site if necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 30 percent prior to March 31, 2010 and as 10 percent after that date. The Board found no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his active military service.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not have a diagnosed disability.,For PTSD, the Veteran received an initial rating of 30 percent prior to May 1, 2013 and increased to 50 percent since that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is more likely related to his military head injury than noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as his current diagnoses were not noted during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The low back disorder is found to have had its onset during active duty, while the bilateral hearing loss does not meet the definition of a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus began during active service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion and is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service and requires an additional VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus disorders are related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are being considered, along with any post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.