Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The residuals of a post-traumatic concussive disorder claim is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a higher initial disability rating for hearing loss of the right ear. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to December 29, 1998 and for a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 29, 1998 to August 14, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, including exposure to combat noise. As such, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than organic affective syndrome and left ear hearing loss, as well as his application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Board also denied his request for increased evaluations for residuals of a skull fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus have all been denied. The VA has not provided evidence of a current disability or established that the conditions are related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations and denied service connection for this condition. However, the Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure during combat.

The veteran's reactive airway disease is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted service connection for a small patent foramen ovale. Other claims of service connection are denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and blepharitis of the eyelids are found to be related to service. The veteran's PTSD is not well grounded for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing impairment is currently rated at level I in both ears and level II in one ear. The evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the current appeal, including scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine if the appellant's currently diagnosed hearing loss is related to his active military service. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including a VA audiologist's examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have recognizable hearing loss by VA standards at the current time, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of costochondritis was also addressed but no specific decision was made.