Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, low back disorder, and right hip disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his active duty or the service-connected residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right buttock.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, and he is awarded a 20% rating for his right elbow disability since September 16, 2013. The issues of service connection for the hearing loss and initial evaluation for the right elbow are both resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a dental condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo have been denied as there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a dental condition. The Board also found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not found to be service-connected.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including as secondary to his hearing loss. The VA examiner will be asked to provide opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing an earlier claim was filed.

The Veteran requested and withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric findings.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA outpatient records and a current audiology evaluation. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 28, 2007 remains in appellate status.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, tremors, and right knee disability. The Veteran's National Guard service is also being verified.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and a right leg disability are granted, while the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board found that service connection could be established for tinnitus due to noise exposure in service, and for a right leg disability as residuals of a broken bone injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by or related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure in service.