Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left upper back, left arm disability secondary to such wounds, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with asthma secondary to asbestos exposure, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 2, 2003 to April 30, 2006 or a compensable rating from May 1, 2006 to the present.

The veteran's skin cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of an inservice injury or disease and a nexus to his current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or that such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, kidney stones, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not warrant a designation higher than Level I or II under Table VI, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current conditions and active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no competent medical evidence showing that his hearing loss was caused by his time in service.

The veteran's initial disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the numeric designations did not translate to a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support an earlier date than January 13, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no competent medical evidence supporting the existence of these conditions. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left testicle varicocele was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded to provide the veteran with a VA examination and obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year of separation, and no competent medical opinion linking the current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was remanded for further development, including the provision of a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss, and the issue is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's acoustic trauma from aircraft noise exposure during periods of active duty and inactive duty training was at least as likely as not incurred in the line of duty.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board must remand the case to obtain a medical opinion that properly considers the veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his hearing loss and tinnitus during service.