Hearing loss Board decisions

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as it was first noted many years after separation from active duty. The VA examiner opined that the post-service noise exposure more likely caused the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is causally and etiologically related to service, but his right ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Therefore, service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, at worst, results in Level II hearing loss in both ears. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation is denied as there are no criteria met to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right arm and right leg, hearing loss, and tinnitus as these conditions are considered direct service connections due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuity of symptoms since service is given significant weight.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service and denied both issues of appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lung disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service, while diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not initially manifested within one year of his release from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of his service-connected conditions caused or contributed substantially or materially to causing his death.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus denied service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his active service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has not been found to be more severe than the criteria associated with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA audiologic examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service and whether left ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus are directly related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an audiological examination for the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, which constitutes a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim for a back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support service connection. Bilateral hearing loss is denied, while tinnitus is granted.