Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The VA audiologist concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for bilateral hearing loss and adenocarcinoma of the right lung, status post resection were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher disability rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it cannot be medically attributed to any injury, disease or event during active military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in November 1986 due to pre-existing high frequency hearing loss at entry into service, and no aggravation during service. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran in January 1988.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for a lung disorder, claimed as asbestosis, was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The initial rating for hypertension with early nephropathy associated with diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and due process concerns, including scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's hearing loss and skin disorder claims.

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

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.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is associated with his diabetes and hypertension, warranting a separate rating. A compensable initial rating of 10% was assigned for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The claim for service connection for these disabilities is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for left pulmonary nodule were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a respiratory disability including bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus attributable to service. The claim for alcoholic hepatitis was due to alcohol abuse and filed after October 31, 1990. The left pulmonary nodule has not been shown by competent evidence to result in impairment of pulmonary function.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right leg, left leg, or bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression due to his service-connected stomach scar.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.