Hearing loss Board decisions

The October 1981 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is upheld as there was no clear and unmistakable error. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 17, 2000, which granted service connection, must be denied by operation of law.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development, specifically addressing whether his current conditions are related to in-service infections and high fevers.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability in the left ear, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service noise exposure is related to his current condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that preexisting left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service and right ear hearing loss did not manifest in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with the Board finding that his current symptoms are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service, and his left ear hearing loss disability was shown on entry into service. The claim for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is consistent with his combat service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will require further examination and consideration of the new regulations regarding fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill) is denied as his physical disabilities did not prevent him from attending or completing an educational program during the eligibility period.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of active disease or residual symptoms. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) were also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence show continuous symptoms since service. Service connection was also granted for left ear hearing loss due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The examiner must also consider whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has continued to manifest at the noncompensable rate throughout the current rating period, and there is no factual basis for a staged rating. The preponderance of the evidence shows that his hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for several disabilities, including a fracture of the right fifth finger, a disability of the lumbosacral spine, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum disability evaluation allowed by the applicable schedular criteria. The claim for a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 7, 2006, and in excess of 10 percent since that date remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and allergies have been denied. The claim for hypertension has not yet been adjudicated.,Further examination or evidence may be necessary to address the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sensorineural hearing loss is granted as the Board finds that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.