Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including any acoustic trauma he may have experienced.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new C&P examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current hearing loss in both ears is related to service, specifically noise exposure during military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right knee and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on flexion or extension limitations, as well as no evidence of ankylosis, instability, or cartilage involvement. For hearing loss, the VA examinations did not show any exceptional circumstances warranting extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right ear hearing loss claim, and that left ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation. Service connection was also denied for bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, respiratory disability, neurological disability of lower extremities, sarcoma, bladder condition, enlarged prostate, diverticulitis, and psychiatric disorder due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing disability is related to his active military service. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and that his complaints of impaired hearing are not related to his military service. For tinnitus, there is no evidence demonstrating it manifested as a result of his military service.

The Board found in favor of service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge due to lack of evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Board also found no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle fracture residuals are related to his period of active service and is granting service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's right hip disability is found to have onset during service and granted. The Veteran does not currently have hearing loss of the right ear or residuals of a left calf contusion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 26, 2007. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.

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

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left leg burn injury and dismissed all other issues as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding elevated cholesterol. The hearing loss disability is currently rated at zero percent.