Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a current VA audiologic examination to determine the current status of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's current hearing loss of the right ear is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing corrective VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating allowed under VA regulations. The appeal for increased ratings has been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for low back pain. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical degenerative joint disease with C-8 radiculopathy, dysthymia and major depression (claimed as secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease), and a compression fracture of the thoracic spine are denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted with an effective date of June 25, 1980. His tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and evaluations, as well as compliance with the Veterans' Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing proper notice and considering extraschedular ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoidectomy residuals.

The Board granted service connection for chronic tinnitus and denied an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. As such, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin in service or are related to active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for back, neck, leg, and hand disorders as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's claims are based on his assertions of in-service injuries or exposure, but the evidence does not support a finding that any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during National Guard service, while his left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The arthritis of the left hand and wrist is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service frostbite.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since January 26, 2006.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to April 1, 2008 was denied.,Since April 1, 2008, a compensable (non-compensable) rating has been assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial evaluation, as his auditory acuity levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The right shoulder disability claim is not addressed as it does not involve service connection.