Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder, characterized by corns and calluses, was manifested during active duty. Service connection is granted for this condition.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, effective April 13, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for any point in time.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound scars of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent, while his bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level II prior to May 8, 2007. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but no final decision on this issue has been made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration due to the need to address how his hearing loss affects his occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dermatitis of the arms, hands, and left foot have been denied. The evidence received since the last final denial is not new or material to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to his active military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or a bilateral knee disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of current PTSD, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board finds that the appellant currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of noise exposure in active duty service, and grants his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since June 6, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss that is service-connected. Her audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service noise exposure. The appeal will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than Level II in his right ear and Level II in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 20 percent effective May 1, 2008 was proper based on the evidence showing improvement in his hearing levels.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a combined rating of 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for epididymitis was denied in December 1956 due to the improvement of his condition without recurrence or residuals.,New evidence submitted since the December 1956 decision does not relate to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, as it is not new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, otitis media (ear infections), and punctured left ear drum are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.