Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and skin disorder of the feet were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating at any time since the effective date of service connection.

The veteran's claims for residuals of a right leg fracture, unhealed abrasion of the lower right leg, and left arm/shoulder disability are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his subsequent claim for an increased rating to 10 percent was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral tinnitus. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, otitis media, and post-concussion headaches have been set at January 19, 2001.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his current level of disability is rated at 0 percent under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss being granted on a direct basis due to in-service acoustic trauma. Tinnitus is not service-connected as there is no competent evidence of current disability.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and concluded that the current hearing loss is not related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral metatarsal callosities. The claim for increased disability rating for bronchial asthma is remanded.

The veteran's initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated, but he seeks higher evaluations. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded for further evaluation of the veteran's hernia condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensably disabling, resulting in a denial of his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 20% evaluation effective April 13, 2006. The issue of separate evaluations for tinnitus remains unresolved.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates, but finds that further development is needed to determine if an earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with degenerative changes, service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during active service. The RO is instructed to obtain additional evidence and provide a supplemental SOC if necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to noise during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.