Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supports this determination based on audiometric test results.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in active service and denied his claim.

The Board found no current diagnosis of asbestosis or any other lung disorder, and thus denied service connection for a lung disorder including asbestosis. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a cyst behind the left ear are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's anterior left knee discomfort with a lateral tilt of the patella is due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service.,Likely as not, the Veteran has hypertension that had its clinical onset during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss must be denied by law.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and there is no evidence of noise exposure during service. The only probative medical opinion indicates that the right ear hearing loss is unrelated to service. As such, the claim for bilateral hearing loss cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability, including torticollis and cervical spine arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The hearing loss is also not presumed to be related to military service due to lack of evidence showing it within one year post-service. Therefore, both conditions are denied.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from his former employer and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The claim for increase in bilateral hearing loss disability will be adjudicated again after the requested development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and consideration of misfiled documents.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate worsening that would warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records, SSA records related to SSI benefits, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not have onset during service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for hypertension was not addressed due to a remand.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective August 2005. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating and granted an increased evaluation.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his lack of communication with the RO/AMC.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, finding that some of the evidence received since the November 1997 rating decision is both new and material.