Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran did not perfect an appeal regarding his claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left eye injury, as he failed to file a timely and adequate substantive appeal within one year after receiving the October 2001 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection for hypertension. The RO considered all available evidence, including VA examinations and private medical records, but was unable to find any additional relevant information from the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability in either ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor or noise exposure, respectively.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that it is most likely due to his military service.

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

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to service acoustic trauma, warranting service connection.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected perforation of the left tympanic membrane with mixed hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence suggests a link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his noise exposure during World War II service, but also indicates an association with heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is due to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. However, the veteran has a current disability of degenerative joint disease of the MTP joint of the right great toe that began during his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and degenerative joint disease and discogenic disease L5-S1 as secondary to his knee conditions. The claim for left ear hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability (otitis externa, hearing loss, and tinnitus).

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not service-related, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The case is being remanded to the RO so that the veteran can be scheduled for a video conference hearing at the RO conducted by a Member of the Board in Washington, D.C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is incurred in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected anxiety reaction with PTSD is granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent. The issue of reopening the tinnitus claim due to new evidence is also resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar affective disorder, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of well-groundedness.