Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's hearing loss was also addressed, but as this issue is related to an earlier decision, it will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his TDIU claim. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA audiological examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hearing loss found to be present, and a VA examination in connection with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at the minimum compensable levels, with no evidence of a higher rating based on current medical findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a fractured right thumb were all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure which likely contributed to his current conditions.

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

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 20 percent beginning January 29, 2003 and 30 percent beginning April 7, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and concluding that it was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or within one year of service, nor were they caused by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, his bilateral pes cavus with metatarsalgia and callosities are rated at 20 percent each, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral vascular disease with left below-the-knee amputation and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed on the matters of initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU. The AMC must ensure all notification and development action required by VA law are fully complied with and satisfied.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a 40 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability, effective April 25, 2003. This decision upholds the earlier assigned effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus originated during his active service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

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

The VA determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and psychiatric disability to include on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.