Hearing loss Board decisions

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 disease or injury, and the preponderance of the evidence shows that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left foot drop with hyperreflexia and ankle clonus, shell fragment wounds of the left thigh, bilateral tinnitus, shell fragment wounds of the left anterior chest, shell fragment wound of the right elbow, and right ear hearing loss, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. Similarly, the Veteran's tinnitus is also found to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is incurred in service, and his bilateral hearing loss may be related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no competent medical basis to support a relationship between his current hearing loss and his period of military service.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss in both ears was aggravated by service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development of his claims, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and ensuring proper VCAA notice has been provided.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and insufficient post-service medical evidence to establish a nexus between current bilateral hearing loss and active duty. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service were deemed less credible due to the long period without documented complaints.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not associated with his active military service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal complaints, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability are found to be related to his service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by hearing impairment corresponding to auditory acuity level VI in the right ear and level I in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His hearing loss was found not to warrant a compensable rating, and his claims for sinusitis and skin cancer were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with depression) and denied service connection for an ear disability (bilateral hearing loss). The Veteran's PTSD is linked to a verified in-service stressor, while his bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active service, with noise exposure during service being a contributing factor.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 16, 2007 was denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss beginning on March 16, 2007 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the specified criteria for issuance of a certificate of eligibility.

The Veteran's death was service-connected due to his diabetes mellitus, but the appellant is not entitled to increased DIC benefits or accrued benefits as her claim for these benefits is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle condition were not found to be directly related to his military service, and the claims for service connection were denied.