Hearing loss Board decisions

The RO has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear with a non-compensable evaluation and denied claims for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and COPD. The veteran is requested to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service exposure to noise, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus was not shown in service or related to noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the veteran's entire record of active service, including his time in Guam where he may have been exposed to acoustic trauma. Further examination and review are required.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA examination reports did not support a finding of current hearing loss or tinnitus attributable to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to any in-service event. The hypertension claim was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange or other factors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sarcoidosis is etiologically related to exposure to smoke during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be attributable to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions such as a skin disorder, left shoulder disorder, or hearing loss disabilities. The appellant's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange in Korea.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is remanded due to the lack of available service records and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane, left ear are not rated higher than the current noncompensable evaluations due to lack of evidence showing an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board has granted an initial staged rating of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss from the effective date of service connection and a 20 percent rating from the date of examination on November 30, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and new evidence may be needed. The veteran's hearing loss and knee disabilities are still under review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, service connection for both disabilities is denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent, with a combined rating of 70 percent. The effective date remains unchanged as the claim was previously granted.