Hearing loss Board decisions

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at an approximate balance and the appeal will be allowed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for mechanical low back pain were denied. The decision is final as the Veteran did not appeal the denial within one year.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a numeric designation greater than Level I for the right ear and Level XI for the left ear, which do not support an evaluation greater than the currently-assigned rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2008. As of November 12, 2008, a compensable evaluation (10%) for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left leg, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge. The Board also found that any current disabilities were not related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability due to asbestos exposure and for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss in both ears are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for low back disability was denied, but the claim for increased rating for left knee disability from July 1, 2008 to May 7, 2007 was granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for sinusitis with rhinitis was denied. The TDIU claim is referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while disabling, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss manifested during his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that service connection is granted for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, but denied for hearing loss in the left ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The Board also found that current bilateral hearing loss was not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiometric examination and interpretation of his February 2009 private hearing exam results. The Veteran was previously service-connected for bilateral hearing loss, but now seeks an initial compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after service. The Board also noted inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided.