Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records. The issues include tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is manifested by no more than Level I hearing loss, and the criteria for a compensable evaluation are not met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service. The Board found that the Veteran did not experience chronic hearing loss symptomatology since his separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being required. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development is completed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since January 27, 2006. The most recent VA examination in October 2010 showed no worse than Level I acuity in both ears.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at discharge and no significant shift in thresholds from induction to discharge. The Veteran's testimony regarding onset of hearing loss during service was found to be less credible.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of tinnitus in service or during the appeal period, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, including whether it is related to service. The claim for service connection will be denied until further notice.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing Level II hearing loss in both ears.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and respiratory conditions.