Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing is manifested by no more than Level I hearing acuity bilaterally, and the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability have not been met.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to properly assess the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, as the current evidence does not account for whether any hearing loss diagnosed after service was caused by service. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to obtain and submit any relevant medical records.

The case is being remanded for further examination to address the functional effects of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) for an extra-schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, but finds in favor of service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by level I hearing in each ear throughout the appeal period, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The criteria for an initial compensable rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for tinnitus was also granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been rated as non-compensable since the initial grant of service connection. The VA examinations conducted have shown varying degrees of hearing impairment, but none that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine if his current heart disorder and any chronic blood disorder are proximately due or aggravated by the septicemia associated with his liver abscess in 1975.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to provide the Veteran with proper VCAA notice regarding his secondary service connection claim for alcoholism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for hearing loss of the right ear due to in-service noise exposure, but not for hearing loss of the left ear as it does not meet VA's criteria for a disability.