Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating, as it is at no more than level I in both ears.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Chambers and the Social Security Administration.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the claimant's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable rating. The veteran's disability is found to have marked interference with employment, warranting an extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the FAA and scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a skull fracture due to inadequate medical examinations, failure to comply with previous remand instructions, and need for compliance with Vazquez-Flores requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including informing the veteran of unsuccessful efforts to obtain his Social Security Administration (SSA) records and asking him to submit any in his possession. The claims will be readjudicated after this.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, depressive affective disorder, costochondritis, hyperlipidemia (hypothyroidism), bilateral leg pain with inflammation, and a back disability. The decision also noted that some of these issues were remanded to the RO.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of exposure to acoustic trauma during his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is service-connected, but not in his right ear. The tinnitus is also found to be related to his hearing loss.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability due to failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was incurred during service due to in-service noise exposure, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in April 1952, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The veteran's post-concussive migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8100, and no higher.,Prior to December 2, 2005, his bilateral hearing loss was rated as 10 percent disabling. After that date, it is rated as 40 percent disabling.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not due to exposure to acoustic trauma during his National Guard duty in February 1964. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.