Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's hearing loss, as evaluated using the worst available scores, was manifested by no greater than a level V loss in each ear. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent are not met.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, meibomian gland dysfunction, and right foot pes planus. Further development is needed to address the remaining issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected. The issue of an increased rating for right ear hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's paralysis and left ear hearing loss are not considered to be caused by the VA medical treatment he received in 1966.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA audiologic examination and referral to the Director for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to warrant a compensable rating prior to December 3, 2013. Since then, the disability has been rated at 10 percent since that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The most recent audiometric testing did not show any significant improvement in his hearing acuity, and thus no higher evaluation is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were either pre-existing conditions or did not manifest during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed respiratory disorder or bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level II hearing impairment in either ear, and he currently receives a noncompensable rating for this disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to April 9, 2012 and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes during his period of service. Right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were caused by acoustic trauma during active service.,Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's initial schedular disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been granted at a 10 percent rating, effective from May 24, 2010. No extraschedular evaluation was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.