Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and a Travel Board hearing will be scheduled at the RO.

The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and major depression and bilateral hearing loss, occurred no earlier than December 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a hearing disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 19, 2008 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for abdominal muscle and groin strains was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability requires further development due to incomplete audiometric testing records.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have disabling hearing impairment during service or for many years after service, and that any hearing loss found from 2011 forward was not caused by disease, injury, or noise exposure during service. Therefore, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board granted an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to 20 percent, effective August 17, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ankle disability, headaches, sinus disability, and bilateral hearing loss remain on hold until further notice.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a left foot disability, and service connection for a right hand disability. The claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, which the Board finds has been established. However, the VA examiner found it less likely than not that this condition is related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining service personnel records and Social Security Administration records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 29, 2011 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service until a February 7, 2012 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The issue of entitlement to compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for bilateral hearing loss will be referred to the RO/AMC for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not found to meet the criteria for a VA compensation disability, as his hearing levels were consistently within normal limits in both ears.

The Board finds doubt in the Veteran's favor, concluding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, including his active and Reserve/ANG service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss as the audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the November 2008 VA examination did not provide a clear opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by decreased hearing in both ears, with left ear being worse than right. The Board finds no evidence that the Veteran's disability more nearly approximates the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during this appeal.