Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA compensation benefits due to a lack of verified active military, naval, or air service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sensorineural hearing loss, traumatic amputation of the right thumb, hypertension, and tinnitus, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or a finding that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and missing ear surgery records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that the Veteran had no more than level I hearing in both ears, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including VA outpatient treatment records, surgical reports, an audiogram dated between 2005 and 2007, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the claims for CUE in the March 4, 1963 rating decision and July 13, 1981 rating decision. The Veteran's service connection claims were found to be properly decided based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records. The issue will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, tinnitus, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and has granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several previously denied claims. The Veteran was informed of the bases for these denials.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise, and service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as likely due to exposure to loud noise during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration records and other relevant evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not considered a service-connected disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board found no current hearing loss disability and denied the claim for service connection.