Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant did not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and thus denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is directly related to his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to in-service acoustic trauma from working on aircraft engines, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable from October 2, 2003 and at least 20 percent since April 13, 2006. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during service or due to in-service noise exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service-connected dental trauma, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria necessary for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and increased the rating to 50 percent effective May 6, 2004. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated as compensable.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including notification and examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss. The low back disability was also not found to be incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a reduction in his compensation rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent has been remanded due to uncertainty regarding the actual severity of his disability at the time of the reduction.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at non-VA facilities for aortic dissection were not reimbursable under VA regulations because the treatment was not related to a service-connected disability.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his October 2004 audiometric test results, which showed noncompensable disability.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board.