Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is rated as noncompensable, and thus he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and his request for a hearing. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are taken.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted as incurred in service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been reduced from 40% to noncompensable, and the case is being remanded due to scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma sustained during his period of active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to new evidence received since the final denial. The Veteran testified about in-service noise exposure and a VA audiologist found current hearing loss, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not linked to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain medical records from a private clinician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss. However, the Veteran does not have a compensable level of hearing loss in his right ear as defined by VA regulations, and there is no medical opinion associating his current hearing loss with his active military service.

The Board has requested additional evidence from the Veteran to support his claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and no continuity of symptomatology. The VA examinations did not find any current hearing disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service, was not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after service, and is not attributable to service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, while COPD and heart disease were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claim for service connection for COPD and heart disease is denied.