Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of zero percent, as his hearing impairment is currently rated at level II in both ears.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure during combat operations, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VAMC records from 1955 onwards.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted with an effective date of July 24, 2001. The Board found that the earliest available effective date is the date on which the RO received the claim - July 24, 2001.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but further medical development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The VA granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss but assigned a noncompensable evaluation, which is the lowest possible rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, arthritis of multiple joints (to include knees and pelvis), and a left shoulder disability (claimed as arthritis).

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 30 percent rating effective July 15, 2004.,The veteran's service-connected otitis media is not currently compensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 31, 2003 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for these conditions in September 2003 with a noncompensable rating, effective March 31, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization due to these conditions, thus preventing a referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of left ear otitis media. The case is being returned to the RO for this purpose.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already in place. The claim for increased tinnitus rating remains pending.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, ED as secondary to diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, and hearing loss were all denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his military service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The appellant seeks an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The VA has remanded the case to obtain updated audiometric test results and a new evaluation.