Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to his active service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to in-service asbestos exposure or noise exposure, respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional VA treatment records and clarify whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss with otitis media was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a dental condition, and a bilateral eye disorder. The remaining claims were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not originate during service and is less likely due to noise exposure, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any current disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective from September 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service and no indication of continuity of symptomatology. The VA audiological examination revealed current bilateral hearing loss but could not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis, but no compensable rating is warranted for either shoulder disorder prior to May 27, 2008. The criteria for a higher rating are also not met for the Veteran's shoulder disorders since that date.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to consider all evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any incident during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and has also reopened his claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on direct evidence, as there was no prior denial of these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss, knee and hip disabilities were not shown to be incurred or aggravated by his military service. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the issue on appeal includes entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence of record is not limited to only that at the time of the April 2008 rating reduction and requires clarification from the private audiologist regarding the use of the Maryland CNC discrimination test in the August 2010 private audiological test report.