Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the filing of his claim. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had Level I hearing loss in the right ear and Level III hearing loss in the left ear, which corresponds to a 0 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema, is not service connected. His vertigo is also not service connected. The Veteran's bilateral eye disability has been rated at 30% since December 10, 2008.

The Veteran's right hamstring strain is rated as non-compensable, with no more than involvement of Muscle Group XIII without muscle wound or damage to the body part it controls.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as zero percent under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, as well as consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested in service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the March 2007 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, IBS as due to undiagnosed illness, headaches as due to undiagnosed illness, and muscle fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness. The left foot disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while right ear hearing loss was granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a grant of initial ratings.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is established, with an effective date prior to September 27, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to military service.,VA has provided the Veteran with adequate notice regarding his rights and responsibilities in this matter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of his hearing loss, PTSD, and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was incurred in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active duty military service, and thus grants service connection for this issue.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to fully address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss, as the October 2009 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted, effective May 5, 2009. The effective date cannot be earlier as the original claim was denied in March 2002 and not appealed within one year.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board has determined that it was incurred in service. The hearing loss disability is not currently diagnosed, but may be related to noise exposure during service. The psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety) is found to have been present during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2009 examination report, which did not consider his in-service ear injuries and worsening hearing during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The maximum schedular rating (10%) is assigned for bilateral tinnitus.