Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and have not been shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of hearing loss, reopening of service connection claims for COPD and psychiatric disability were denied by the RO. The RO found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for instability of the right knee is denied as there is no evidence of more than moderate instability, with negative Lachman's and McMurray tests, stability to anterior and posterior varus and valgus stress, and no X-ray evidence of fracture or dislocation. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the right knee remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the current level of disability does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were attributed to civilian occupational noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, but denied it for the left ear.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, including any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, blepharitis and pinguecula of both eyes, headaches, and a skin disorder of the feet were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are due to disease or injury incurred in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and depression, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not due to his military service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to an acoustic neuroma he had removed after discharge, and his depression is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled to evaluate his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board finds that the veteran has current diagnoses of chronic left-sided headache, a disability manifested by left-sided nasal obstruction, and a psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence showing an impaired hearing disability for VA compensation purposes.