Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were generally denied. Specific issues include the denial of higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, left testicle removal, cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease and a surgical scar, residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet, right leg disorder, left upper extremity disorder, PTSD, low back disorder, dizziness, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection was granted for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet.

The Board has determined that the appellant's alcoholism is not service-connected due to it being a result of voluntary and willful drinking. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and ulcers were denied as well.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active military service. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss and psychiatric disability, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from his time in the U.S. Naval Reserve and at the Corpus Christi Vet Center.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a vision disability, to include senile cataracts, are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, but there is no evidence linking his tinnitus to his military service.

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

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to his first period of service from August 1971 to May 1979.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tuberculosis.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective December 10, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and needs further examination and development of evidence before deciding on the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his right ankle disability is not related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is mixed as to whether new and material evidence was received for the hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically noise exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a 20 percent rating from September 14, 2007 to July 1, 2009.