Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further actions, including scheduling an examination and readjudicating the claims in light of all evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current disability to his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic alcoholism, PTSD, left hand injury residuals, liver and pancreatic disorders, and hearing loss. The decision also addressed a claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for left ear hearing loss prior to November 5, 1996, which was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to have been aggravated by military noise exposure and there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's hearing loss existed prior to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that his death was unrelated to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back condition, and an evaluation for otitis externa. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hearing loss. Service connection was also not granted for tinnitus or a low back condition as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Otitis externa was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was initially rated noncompensable prior to December 8, 2003. From December 8, 2003, to December 12, 2004, the evaluation was increased to 20 percent. After that date, it has been rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent after December 13, 2004.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The benefit of doubt is applied in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found no evidence of tinnitus during service or at any time thereafter, leading to a denial of his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found a current disability (bilateral hearing loss) and a link between this disability and in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development of evidence, including a VA examination and review of outpatient treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a formal or informal application prior to September 24, 2002.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing impairment is at Level I in both ears.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop in service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) upheld this decision, concluding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumption period.

The Board found that the appellant's current back, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service. The psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the RO received a request for withdrawal of his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from August 2001. However, the veteran is seeking an increased rating.