Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or sensorineural hearing loss within one year postservice. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication of his claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back injury and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 27, 1990 to April 13, 2003 and a rating in excess of 20 percent on or after April 14, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically linked to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted based on the provided audiometric results.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss and low back disorder were not service-connected. The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, which he had prior to enlistment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an audiological examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a VA audiological examination, and ensuring that all requested development is completed.

The VA has denied the veteran's request for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, as his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant such an increase.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right knee disorder, or tinnitus. The claims are denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to exposure to acoustic trauma during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating, as it is manifested by no greater than Level I hearing loss in both ears.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet the requirements.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia, right ear hearing loss, and a left hip disorder. The RO previously denied these claims in October 1995 and March 1998, respectively.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eardrum damage, and tinnitus is properly considered. This includes obtaining medical records from a VA examination and ensuring all relevant evidence is reviewed.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.