Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for hearing loss disability, disability manifested by accelerated heart rate and/or palpitations, or tremors.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the initial grant of service connection in October 2004. The VA audiological examination showed Level I hearing acuity in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to lack of an issue in controversy.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from SSA and Workers' Compensation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim is granted on the merits, with the Board finding that a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss was incurred in military service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and seek an opinion from a qualified medical professional regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.,There is no competent evidence of current active hepatitis B or residuals of any hepatitis B infection treated during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and review of medical records.

The veteran's PTSD with polysubstance abuse is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss with ringing in the ears is likely related to his service, specifically his in-service meningitis. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation at any time during the appeal period.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the July 2003 VA audiological examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new audiogram conducted in compliance with VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for further medical examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for a TDIU award due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. The veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, but not due to unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence for PTSD and failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and an incomplete VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after obtaining these records and conducting a new examination.