Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, while his claim for PTSD was granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to review a March 2006 private audiogram and provide the veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of reliable evidence indicating he has a current disability and no credible medical opinion linking his condition to military service.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was remanded for additional VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to afford him a new VA examination.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and a new medical opinion regarding the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. A statement of the case has been issued for tinnitus, but a supplemental statement of the case is needed.

The Board remands the claim for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining a DD-214 Form or other verification of service and VA medical records from February 15, 2007 to the present.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable from October 25, 1999 to August 16, 2007 and a rating of 10 percent disabling from August 17, 2007 to present. The evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for elevated cholesterol, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), an airway disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches. The veteran was also denied a higher initial rating for his right shoulder disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish service connection.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as the evidence shows no worse than Level II hearing acuity in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation under VA regulations.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from May 10, 2007 through August 2, 2007.

The veteran's initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the appellant's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty, including his active duty for training.

The claim for service connection for hearing loss is reopened and a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss is related to his duties as a lifeguard in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis externa due to the maximum schedular rating being assigned under applicable regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen a claim of service connection for hearing loss, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's left ear hearing loss as it was not at a level of severity to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board remands the case to the RO for review of new evidence submitted by the veteran.