Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether left ear hearing loss originated during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased compensation for malaria, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, lameness, and breathing problems is denied as there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The current evidence does not establish a link between any of these conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bursitis of the right (major) shoulder and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of cooperation with scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has ordered the RO to address whether finality attached to the November 1982 denial of service connection for hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim. The veteran must provide a list of medical providers who have treated him for hearing loss since discharge from service, and the RO is required to obtain any relevant records not already in possession.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing impairment is being remanded for a new VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable initial evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his most recent testing showed Level II hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to civilian noise exposure, rather than service-related noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient detail in the VA examination report.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private audiometric examination reports to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The VBA AMC will also review the claims file to ensure that all requested actions have been completed.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right leg disorder, hearing loss, and low back disorder. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to ensure that all notification and development action required by the VCAA is fully complied with.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further examination and additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and specific phobia, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or within one year of service separation. The veteran's current disabilities are considered direct rather than presumptive.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination and consideration of all evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and PTSD are related to service.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected high frequency hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of claims file.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability due to military service or any compensable degree within one year after separation.