Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board is remanding the case to the agency of original jurisdiction due to procedural defects in the VCAA notification provided by the RO. The veteran and his representative need to be informed about the evidentiary requirements necessary to satisfy claims to reopen.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased initial rating for tinnitus. The February 1992 rating decision denying service connection was found to be not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and Hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, but the claim for higher ratings was denied. For his low back disability, the Board found no evidence to support its occurrence during military service.

The VA has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned an initial 30 percent rating effective March 6, 2000. The veteran's claim was denied before this date.

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

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his hearing loss is at Level I in both ears.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 25, 2000 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date is fixed at February 25, 2000 based on the facts found.

The Board found that the veteran has right ear hearing loss by VA standards and attributed it to noise exposure in service. The left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and renal insufficiency were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims. The veteran was granted service connection for renal insufficiency but with a zero percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability and because the veteran failed to report for a VA examination. The examiner concluded that the veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is a consequence of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the veteran's motions alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in various decisions regarding earlier effective dates for compensation and increased ratings.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or PTSD, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for attorney fees arising from the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as a final decision has not been promulgated by the Board with respect to these issues.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings higher than noncompensable for hearing loss or 50 percent for PTSD.

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