Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private audiology records and clarifying whether the Veteran receives Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits based on his bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not related to his service, including noise exposure. The evidence did not show a continuity of symptoms since service or any other basis for establishing service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not become manifest during service or to a compensable degree within one year after discharge, and there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his appointed representative and himself, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent since July 24, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as knee conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied the claim for left ear hearing loss. The right ear was assigned a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel records. The VA will then review the claims and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased evaluations and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including cancer of the larynx and its residuals. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and postoperative residuals of a right parotid gland tumor are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or clinical onset during service. The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension limit, thus he is not entitled to nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating or an increased rating beyond 10 percent. The service-connected low back disorder is found to be service connected.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service, and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The VA medical opinion concluded that his current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus became manifest in service and has persisted, warranting service connection. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service. The Veteran's reports of symptoms in service are considered, but a new VA examination is needed.