Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's PTSD and left ear hearing loss disability are both found to be service-connected due to credible evidence of exposure during combat in Vietnam. The factual presumption is applied as the veteran engaged in combat, which allows for a finding of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear disability, including recurrent infections and hearing loss, as well as sarcoidosis. The claims were not decided on the merits due to lack of evidence regarding active duty training dates.

The VA denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing impairment does not warrant such a rating based on the existing evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The heart condition, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), bilateral shoulder condition (rotator cuff, tendonitis), arthritis, and foot condition were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel board hearing.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his hearing loss and gastrectomy conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional VCAA notice.

The veteran's hearing loss is as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his active service. The claim for residuals of a low back injury was reopened due to new evidence received since the December 1972 rating decision, but service connection is not warranted as there is no direct link between the condition and service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board concluded that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to inservice acoustic trauma, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the duty to notify and duty to assist provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claims on appeal include whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an ear disorder with hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for a skin disorder and benign prostatic hyperplasia due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current hearing loss condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as evidenced by normal audiometric findings at separation from service and no persuasive medical nexus evidence indicating a link to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The VA denied a compensable initial rating for the veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that his service-connected hearing in that ear warranted only level I hearing and no higher.