Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service and denied his claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of chronic symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his service, as there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and ingrown toenail of the right and left great toes were denied. The Board found that any current hearing loss disability was unrelated to service, and there is no current left ear hearing loss disability. For the ingrown toenails, the most recent VA examination indicated they are not at least as likely as not caused by or a result of any event in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to noise exposure in service. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was aggravated during service and is therefore granted for service connection. The left ear hearing loss disability, however, did not manifest in service or until many years after service and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 80 percent since January 2009, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.

The Board granted service connection for diplopia and a back disorder, but denied an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran currently has no less than level I hearing in either ear.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Veteran currently has a current disability in his right ear for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during service, with current evidence showing a continuity of symptoms. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a hearing, and the case is now pending before the Board for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent effective August 10, 2011. The claim is granted for this increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Navy Reserve records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lung disorder. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lung disorder due to asbestosis exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.