Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a mental condition, left ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain, osteopenia (claimed as a low back condition). The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a causal link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not establish a nexus to service. The criteria for presumptive service connection were not met due to lack of continuity of symptoms within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and hypertension was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service causation or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability in either ear meeting VA criteria for a qualifying hearing loss.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is less likely caused by or a result of military noise exposure, including his time in service. The opinion was based on the pattern of hearing loss, reported onset several years after service, and history of post-military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from the appellant's reported 1955 service and attempting to obtain audiometric test results.

The Board has granted service connection for numbness and tingling of the fingertips and both hands (bilateral CTS), finding that it was incurred in service.

The VA determined that the appellant's current left ear hearing loss is not service-connected, as it was present prior to his entry into military service and did not worsen during his active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been shown to warrant a compensable initial disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and no higher rating is warranted based on the objective audiometric findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his in-service noise exposure, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner determined that the disabilities more likely than not resulted from post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination and the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss is etiologically related to active service. The Board grants entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted service connection. The appeal for an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiology examination and issuing a statement of the case regarding his claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service disease/injury related to the conditions, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive provisions. For the hearing loss claim, the Veteran's disability did not manifest within one year after service, nor does he have a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for compensation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee condition.,No new evidence was submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a nervous condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent for both ears, with no higher ratings warranted due to the current audiometric test results. The claim was denied as there were not sufficient grounds to grant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran did not have current complaints of ringing in his ears, and there is no evidence of such during or after military service. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids.