Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board finds that the reduction in disability rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss was proper. The Veteran's overall combined disability rating remained unchanged, and he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss was not shown to be related to his active military service, and the Board finds that it is less likely as not caused by or a result of military acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current diagnosed disability in either ear as defined by VA standards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including the residuals of asbestos exposure; the residuals of right and left upper extremity trauma; and the residuals of sternum trauma. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for de novo review.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as they were likely due to age-related progressive hearing loss and noise exposure from work after service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss has not worsened to warrant a higher evaluation, as his audiometric test results have been inconsistent and unreliable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and for obtaining any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate etiology opinions and failure to address specific information in the remand directives.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peritonsillar abscess and tonsillitis, finding that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability or evidence of an in-service event resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder, tinnitus, and hearing loss disability render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU claim with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his military service due to exposure to noise during combat.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected. The right ear hearing loss does not meet VA's regulatory definition of hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

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