Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The pre-existing right ear hearing loss is presumed to have existed prior to service and did not worsen during service. There is no evidence of left ear hearing loss in service, and the VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now rated at a 30 percent disability rating for Meniere's syndrome. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a personal hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after appropriate action has been taken.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the most likely cause being noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the knees, and peripheral neuropathy. The case is being remanded due to scheduling a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The current disabilities were not shown within one year of separation from service, nor can they be presumed due to exposure to noise during service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher initial rating for hepatitis B is not warranted at any time during the pendency of this claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's Coast Guard Reserve service and obtain any outstanding records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with a noncompensable rating assigned. The claim for increased disability rating for prostate cancer was granted with a 10 percent evaluation, while the PTSD claim resulted in a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 10, 2005 for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a claim being received within one year of discharge from active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for aphakia, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disorder were denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for residuals of polyneuritis (Guillain-Barre Syndrome) was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and dizziness were not caused by VA medical treatment in October 2005, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensably disabling under the applicable rating criteria. The Board found that his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including any noise exposure or meningitis. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of tinnitus and granted them. The Veteran's history of in-service noise exposure is credible, and his current tinnitus was present since service.