Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining his military records, conducting a VA examination, and clarifying whether he experiences tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of evidence, including a March 2011 VA audiological examination report.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss in the left ear is not due to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination in June 2010. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his most severe hearing impairment is level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating since May 18, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The evidence shows no increase in disability during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability, and any temporary decrease in hearing acuity due to cerumen (wax) buildup did not constitute a permanent disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss and did not reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for ischemic cardiomyopathy due to herbicide exposure is being remanded as it involves a potential Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are secondary to his service-connected psoriasis, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and asbestos-related pleural disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thumb injury and hearing loss was denied. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disability, and the current disabilities are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this disorder.