Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability of either ear by VA standards and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensable, and the issues of service connection for an equilibrium disorder secondary to his hearing loss and asbestos exposure were also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected otitis media, perforation of the tympanic membranes, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence to support higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and a seizure disorder. The appeals were also denied for an initial disability rating for residuals of a right ankle sprain, status post corneal abrasion of the right eye, and tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal with regard to the rating decisions in August 2000 and November 2000, denying claims of service connection for a skin disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including a new examination and clarification of disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and consideration of the April 2004 audiogram results. The RO should also consider referral of the case for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss in the left ear, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is not entitled to an increased rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left tympanic membrane perforation and associated hearing loss do not warrant a higher disability rating, as they are currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his period of service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records from his VA medical center in Shreveport. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for increased rating of low back disability was not addressed as it has been resolved by an increase in rating.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board found that his service-connected conditions did not materially contribute to his cause of death. Therefore, burial benefits based on service-connected death are denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication of the claims on the merits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the left ear does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric results do not warrant any higher evaluation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest date entitlement arose was December 22, 2003.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure during service as a radio teletype operator.