Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The RO granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10% rating, effective March 12, 2004. The veteran appealed the effective date.

The Board has ordered that all relevant medical records be obtained and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and shell fragment wound residuals. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted a rating of 30 percent effective May 7, 2001.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to May 7, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine, bilateral knee, vertigo, hearing loss, and eye scarring conditions. The evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The lung disability issue is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss, as the audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and myopia. The Board also found no evidence of left knee or right ankle disabilities or joint stiffness.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of excision of lipoma were denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of an evaluation in excess of the current rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not show a current right ear hearing disability related to service. The veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently established, but it did not meet VA compensation criteria at the time of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability is service connected based on continuity of symptomatology from service. The hearing loss claim was denied as there is no current hearing loss by VA standards.

The veteran's claims for service connection of various joint disabilities and varicocele are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records, schedule the veteran for a comprehensive VA examination, and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in hearing judge and will schedule a travel board hearing for the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disability, hearing loss, and a hole in the bottom of his mouth. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Service medical records were unavailable, but VA examinations confirmed no current disabilities related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The RO has determined that the evidence does not support higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left forearm strain, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiometric examination and additional treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the results of these actions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiometric examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.