Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and erosive gastritis were granted service connection. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ventral hernia repair scar, leaving only the issue of PTSD with a 50% evaluation still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more current VA audiometric examination and discussion of functional effects on employment.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus found to be present. The Veteran's claims for service connection will then be readjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements. The Board also found that a VA examination is not required in this case due to the lack of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a cervical spine injury, asthmatic bronchitis, and bipolar disorder (claimed as a nervous condition) have been denied. The applications to reopen the claims for residuals of a cervical spine injury and asthmatic bronchitis were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year post-service. The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are due to occupational noise exposure after service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, and low back disability. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen these claims.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 21, 2006 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he did not submit a formal or informal claim before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was upheld at 10 percent, while the claims for right and left knee disorders were not supported by evidence of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.