Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 10% from February 2005. The RO proposed reducing this to 0%, effective March 1, 2008, based on the Veteran's test results. The Board found that the reduction was proper as there is no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient detail in a previous VA examination report, and the Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a tonsillectomy, and stomach disorder. The evidence presented did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral tinnitus, and syncope (claimed as vertigo) will be considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service. The pre-existing left ear hearing loss was not increased in severity during service, and there is no evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus within one year after separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an additional VA audiological examination and opinion to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the aggravation of hearing loss during periods of federalized active duty and whether a single abnormal audiogram in 1974 constituted pre-existing hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the unreliability of VA audiometric examination results. The Veteran will be provided another VA audiological examination.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and migraine headaches were denied, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, arthritis and muscle injury of the back, and left shoulder disability are not related to service. The retained shrapnel in his lower back is presumed due to combat exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and encephalomyelitis. Service connection is now granted for chronic bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, but not for encephalomyelitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss meeting VA disability compensation criteria during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent disability rating as of December 12, 2008. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right ear disability, or right knee disability in service. The appellant's complaints were not supported by medical evidence and the VA examination did not find any current disabilities related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.