Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely substantive appeals were filed for his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which were denied in an August 2003 rating decision. The appeal is granted on this basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his service, including in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from the effective date of service connection, April 12, 2007, is being granted.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD was granted at 30 percent, and the appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to withdrawal of the substantive appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since his last employment in 1985.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current tinnitus or hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, but have been granted as direct service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent due to severe pain and weakness. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric testing has not shown any worse than Level I hearing acuity in either ear.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not a preponderance of evidence to support these claims. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in July 1991 and reopened based on new evidence submitted since then.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for skin disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to hazardous environments. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes was not addressed in a de novo decision as required by law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.