Hearing loss Board decisions

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of surgical removal of an epidermoid cyst. The Veteran does not have a current disability for hearing loss as defined by VA, while he is found to have residuals of surgical removal of an epidermoid cyst related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and verifying service periods. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear otitis media, and psychiatric disorders are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, specifically due to noise exposure during military training. As such, these conditions have been granted as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiometric examination and obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically due to noise exposure during service. The decision grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, have not been met. The evidence does not establish a preexisting condition in either case, nor is there clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for alopecia universalis was granted with a 10% rating effective from December 2005.

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

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30% to 10% was not proper, and restored the original 30% rating effective April 1, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his extended period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's otitis media pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus rejecting the presumption of soundness. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence to support a nexus between the condition and service.

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

The Board denied all claims, including service connection for various conditions and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's hearing loss, including whether any pre-existing condition was aggravated by service or if it is related to in-service noise exposure. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as it falls within the criteria for Level II hearing impairment. The nonservice-connected right ear hearing loss is also considered, but does not affect the rating determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service and was first shown years post-service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.