Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and right knee disability were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, while his right knee disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and thus cannot be service connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to loud artillery fire during his MOS as a field artilleryman. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The RO denied a compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain clarification of the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran did not have service-connected right hand cellulitis or low back disability. A 10 percent rating was assigned for bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The Board also found no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains about entitlement to a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected skin erythema has been rated at a noncompensable level since the date of service connection, November 29, 2007. The Board finds that a rating by analogy to urticaria under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7825 is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss was dismissed. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 8, 2009, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from October 8, 2009, forward, for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. There is no evidence of a chronic ankle or knee disability in the record.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus are being remanded due to scheduling issues. The Veteran requested a hearing before the Board, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the right hand. The remaining claims, including those related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, left arm fracture, headaches, eye disability, hypertension, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that would result in these disabilities.

The Board found that the Appellant's bilateral hearing loss disorder is less likely than not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.