Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased rating for his shell fragment wound of the right lumbar area were denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

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 decision is based on credible evidence of acoustic trauma in service and post-service audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is denied as he does not currently have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her service-connected hypothyroidism and grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to this disability. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including scheduling the Veteran for VA audiology examination, obtaining additional records, and considering whether staged ratings or extra-schedular considerations are warranted.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are denied as there is no legal merit to the claims. The Board finds that a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as his level of hearing impairment does not warrant such a rating.

The Board has conceded the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during service. However, there is no evidence of continuous symptoms or a link between current tinnitus and hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner found that the onset of tinnitus did not correlate with dates of military service and that the Veteran's hearing was normal on separation physical.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical history, inadequate examination report, and need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's current tinnitus began in active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not shown in service and the current condition is not related to service. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for this disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right index finger disorder, left ankle disorder, headache disorder (migraines), and back disorder are denied. Service connection for hemorrhoids is not addressed in this decision.