Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in April 1952, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The veteran's post-concussive migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8100, and no higher.,Prior to December 2, 2005, his bilateral hearing loss was rated as 10 percent disabling. After that date, it is rated as 40 percent disabling.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not due to exposure to acoustic trauma during his National Guard duty in February 1964. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's hearing loss of the left ear is not service-connected, and his increased rating claim for meniscal tear of the left knee (left knee disability) was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service or for a year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service. The Board concluded that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service but could not establish a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes related to his claimed hearing loss, gallbladder removal, dermatitis, and cellulitis. The VA examination did not show any current disabilities in these conditions.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left hip disability. The Board finds that comprehensive medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure. The veteran also has asbestosis with lung scarring, which is linked to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder/PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his psychiatric disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to active service due to noise exposure.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and found that the veteran's service-connected prostate cancer warranted a 20 percent disability rating, effective May 1, 2004. The issue of an increased disability rating for prostate cancer is remanded.