Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and declined to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his hearing loss, as there was no new and material evidence submitted to reopen his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability, when evaluated according to VA rating criteria, does not meet the threshold for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to difficulties in scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran while he is incarcerated. The claims will be further developed and reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus disability was incurred or aggravated in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent effective February 4, 2012. The rating is based on the severity of his hearing impairment as determined by VA audiometric evaluations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including noise exposure during training. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the April 2011 VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be causally related to his history of active and National Guard noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely caused by post-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, with no indication of exposure to any herbicide agent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus, which was previously denied in May 1997.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have its onset during active duty service due to combat noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.