Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current hearing disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new evidence received since the final March 1998 decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainties regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss and its etiology, as well as the need for additional development of his personnel file.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability prior to November 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records, including VA audiological examination results. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently considered ratable by VA standards, but further clarification on its etiology is needed.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, as well as tinnitus. The Veteran did not have a current disability in these conditions at the time of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a stomach disability (claimed as ulcers/digestive problems) due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service injury/aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and bronchitis, and a left foot and ankle disability were denied. However, the Board found in favor of the Veteran on his claim for a left foot and ankle disability as it is likely related to service. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral eye disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and considering whether referral for an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for a left foot scar, finding no evidence of a relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, stomach condition, and a compensable rating for her bilateral plantar fasciitis were all denied. The Veteran did not have a current disability that met the criteria for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's assertions about noise exposure in service were not supported by medical evidence, and there is no continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective September 10, 2012. The claim for residuals of an excision of a follicular cyst of the posterior left thigh was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain employment records from the Veteran's post-service job as a crane operator, inspector, and instructor at an air station. These records may support continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report used the incorrect legal standard.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his inguinal hernia were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating for ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment is appropriate, as well as the noncompensable rating for status post left inguinal hernia repair.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also noted that there is no competent credible evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and active service.