Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as he did not have compensable hearing loss at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since August 25, 2004. The Board found that the current level of severity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been no worse than Level XI in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a 10 percent evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in the remand portion and is being returned to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his documented in-service high frequency hearing loss and noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss but remanded it for additional development. The issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim is granted, and the claim will be reconsidered on its merits.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. The issues include bilateral knee, back, hearing loss, and right leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but de novo review finds no basis for granting such claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, using the worst available score, was manifested by a level IV for the right ear and a level II for the left ear prior to July 15, 2014. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing treatment records and clarifying the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not support a higher disability rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file, and the Veteran wishes for this evidence to be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for a throat disability, bilateral hearing loss, a right hand disability, headaches, a neck disability, and a low back disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by conductive rather than sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support assignment of a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.,He does not have additional disability, including of the heart, due to VA prescribed medication.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal for his claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to March 13, 2000, for the grant of an 80 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to an effective date prior to October 12, 1980, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. As a result, these claims are denied.