Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, clarifying audiometry reports, and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the RO/AMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to active service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in a separate REMAND.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new medical records submitted by him. The issue remains about his combined rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by a lack of in-service noise exposure and normal hearing at separation. The VA examiner found no evidence of acoustic trauma during service and concluded that the current audiometric findings do not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if in-service noise exposure could cause progressive hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that there was no significant change in hearing from service, making it less likely than not that the current hearing loss is due to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between current conditions and in-service acoustic trauma or exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear disability other than hearing loss, and thus denied service connection for such.

The Board denied higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss on both schedular and extra-schedular bases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, residuals of a left hand and left little finger injury, and a respiratory disorder manifested by shortness of breath and chest pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral aphakia, shrapnel wound to the right upper leg, CAD, and other conditions, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not establish that he had compensable hearing loss or a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision. The TDIU claim is granted.