Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache disorder and bilateral hearing loss are likely related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claims, including consideration of service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective December 18, 2008. Service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and a skin rash were denied. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left hand injury was withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, vision loss, arthritis, tinea pedis (jungle rot), and a skin condition including acne, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and requesting an opinion regarding the etiology of any current hearing loss and/or tinnitus disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether there was any worsening in service or due to service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has PTSD attributable to his active military service and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be incurred during his military service.

The Veteran was exposed to noise during active duty service. A current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes is not shown, but tinnitus is causally related to active service and the appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss by aggravation of a preexisting condition, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria, and the claimed in-service noise exposure did not result in service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear cholesteatoma with vertigo, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined service connection claim, and will need to adjudicate both issues before determining a priority level for VA medical care benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but the rating and effective date need to be determined. The compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss remains on appeal.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not sufficiently severe to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.