Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to active service, while GERD was not linked to the veteran's service-connected condition or due to his thoracic spine disability. Dermatophytosis and residuals of trauma to the thoracic spine at T-12 were rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The claim for a fracture of the left humerus did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected hearing loss of the right ear, as it is currently rated at zero percent and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for arthritis of the knees and shoulders, and service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure during and after active military service. The right ear hearing loss disability remains at a noncompensable rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing problem to his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for drug dependence and bilateral hearing loss. The Board is without jurisdiction to consider these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher disability rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has found the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability in the left ear to be in equipoise with the evidence against it, thus granting this claim. The right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no medical evidence of its presence during or after service and the etiology is not established.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss to his active duty service, including exposure to noise aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for recurrent pilonidal cyst and hearing loss of the left ear, as well as his claim for service connection for low back disability. The RO granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied it for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for medical examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's hearing loss and anxiety disorder claims.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other conditions. The VA has determined that he does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a cervical spine disorder or bilateral hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable rating for hyperopia and residuals of a corneal injury characterized by occasional pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The VA determined that the veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as his current level of hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and increased evaluation for service-connected tinnitus were denied. The claim for service connection for anxiety disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability before the Board could make a decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for depression.