Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination report. A new VA examination by a different examiner will be required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, both conditions were denied as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran has a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling (PTSD) and additional disabilities independently rated at least 60 percent disabling. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s)(1).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran now has hearing loss and tinnitus related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether VA treatment was careless or negligent in causing hearing loss, ear infection, and mastoiditis. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any other causative factor. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing impairment more likely resulted from post-military aging effects or other unknown etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and thus, he cannot establish service connection for this condition. The left ear hearing loss was also found to be unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims, including the need for clinical records from specific military facilities and service personnel records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since March 29, 2001. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus has been set to March 29, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's low back disability has been granted a 20 percent evaluation since February 23, 1999.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disorder, and PTSD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish their relationship to service.

The Veteran's back disorder, heart disorder (to include hypertension), and tuberculosis were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting conditions existed prior to his entry into service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.