Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The VA denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The VA determined that the appellant's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his puretone thresholds are within normal limits and he has no significant speech discrimination impairment. The claim is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has found that the veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the skin disorder claim, are both remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence to decide these claims on the merits. The veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if he currently meets the criteria for hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and whether his current tinnitus is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, bilateral depressed metatarsal arches with callosities, bilateral hearing loss, and scars from shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and back.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, concluding that his current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred in December 2002 at private hospitals were denied as he was not covered by VA health care and had private insurance that paid part of the costs.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking current hearing impairment to active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including a new hearing loss evaluation and service connection for residuals of a fractured left ring finger.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right ear hearing loss, hemorrhoids with constipation, and chronic constipation. The evidence showed essentially normal hearing in the right ear and clinically significant but non-compensable levels of hearing impairment in the left ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his tinnitus, are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of a current heart disability or bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the appellant's hearing loss or right eardrum perforation with his period of ACDUTRA in 1959, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The veteran's right knee disorder is not service connected, and his left hip disorder remains denied.,His hearing loss claim has been reopened.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, and his claim to reopen the bilateral hearing loss claim is also granted. The veteran currently experiences tinnitus and it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure over a 23-year period. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.