Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as consideration of lay statements regarding incidents in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or a bilateral elbow condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no link between the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his service, including exposure to noise during National Guard training as an auto mechanic. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry regarding the Veteran's claims of hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently being reviewed by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure, and thus remands for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral hearing loss. The RO must also consider whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be causally related to in-service noise exposure, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to inadequate VA examination, lack of review of the claims file, and need for further audiometric testing.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, osteoarthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noises during military training. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus disorders.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability, as measured by audiometric testing, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Board found that his current level of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was consistent with a 0 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his erectile dysfunction is denied as it does not have a direct relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to her active service. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the August 2006 audiologist's examination report, and a new addendum is required with clear reasoning for any opinions provided.

The Board has ordered a remand to provide the Veteran with proper notice regarding his claim of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and service connection, finding that there was no valid claim prior to June 5, 2003, for urethral stricture with urinary tract infection and prostatitis. The Board also found that a bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service, specifically his in-service noise exposure during his second period of active duty from 2004 to 2005.