Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is considered a service-connected condition, as it meets the definition of a hearing loss disability under VA regulations and was linked to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain and consider private audiology reports, as well as updated VA records. The Veteran's service information supports his reports of exposure to excessive noise during both periods of active service. The examiner is asked to review the claims file and provide opinions regarding whether hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred or increased in severity during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA rating purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and addressing a request for a hearing. The issues of service connection for kidney cancer, back disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hearing loss disability, and migraine headaches.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss rating was reduced from 60 percent to 40 percent, effective June 1, 2011. The TDIU claim is also being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the March 2009 VA examination is inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining clarification of the Veteran's National Guard service dates and providing an opinion regarding whether his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to periods of active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is shown to have developed as a result of noise exposure during his military service, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that this condition is related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to have been aggravated by his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), but with the condition being presumed to have existed prior to service.

The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another/housebound is being remanded due to unclear factual entitlement, including whether any single service-connected disability renders him unemployable or if he qualifies for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending before the Board.

The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has lost use of either lower extremity, and whether any bilateral knee, hip, or low back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these determinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The VA will conduct further examinations and provide a complete rationale for the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the request for a hearing was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and denied his increased rating claim for residuals of avulsion fracture of the distal metatarsal and hallux valux with Austin bunionectomy of the right foot. The evidence submitted since the July 1997 denial was not new or material.