Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of the claimed conditions during or since service, and they are not related to his active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Given the benefit of doubt, the Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board finds that the appellant's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has resulted in weakness and numbness with occasional, partial left foot drop tantamount to no worse than moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Therefore, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification of private audiogram methods and potential application of 38 C.F.R. § 4.86.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including inservice acoustic trauma. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise from artillery fire, rifle range, and aircraft. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service noise exposure. The evidence shows a history of hearing loss and tinnitus since service, with no indication of pre-existing conditions or other theories of service connection.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance of another was found to be due to service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD, duodenal ulcer disease, and tinnitus. The claim is granted from October 19, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of his service periods and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board implicitly denied service connection for tinnitus in 1970 but reopened the claim and granted service connection for hearing loss. The decision is mixed as it did not explicitly deny service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded as the VA examination report did not comply with the requirements of the remand.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of worsening since the last examination in May 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that he did not have current disability in either ear as defined by VA standards. The Board also found that his left ear hearing loss was caused by an acoustic neuroma, which began during active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted. The respiratory disorder claim remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service due to exposure to acoustic trauma during combat.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA audiological examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge, and are unrelated to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.