Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran served in the Navy during World War II, was exposed to noise during service, and currently has a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability. Medical opinions link his current hearing loss to his service-connected tinnitus and noise exposure during service.

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

The VA reduced the Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 50% to 20%, effective October 1, 2010. The reduction was based on new audiometric evaluations showing improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bronchitis have been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending. The claim for a compensable rating for hypoglycemia has not been addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of medical records, and the Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending before the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to such service. The claim was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear, as evidenced by the VA audiological examinations. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining a 2004 VA audiological examination report. The case is now remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches and a bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate medical examinations. The appellant is required to undergo another VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and relationship of her claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his active or reserve service. The Veteran was exposed to noise during both periods of service, but the VA examiner could not form an opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records from the Cleveland Clinic and VA medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss which was incurred during his active military service as a result of exposure to loud noises. However, there is no evidence of tinnitus in service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran does not have current tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for evidence/releases necessary to adjudicate the claim.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his military service, concluding that it was more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial or staged compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his right ear hearing loss claim. The VA examinations scheduled will help determine the current severity of his right knee disability and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from October 9, 2007. The hearing loss claim remains non-compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and scarring of the right eye, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's headaches are considered to be related to his in-service accident, while the scarring of the right eye is also linked to that same incident. However, there was no evidence linking the bilateral hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, finding that the symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for such rating. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.