Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for foot fungus on the right foot is pending and requires further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is shown to have been manifested at worst by a Level II hearing acuity in both ears. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not correspond to numeric designations worse than Level VII for the right ear and Level II for the left ear. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not found to meet VA standards, and there is no other post-service medical evidence of record that contains audiometric evaluation. As such, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bladder neck obstruction, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left inguinal herniorrhaphy with left spermatic cord lipoma was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 20, 2009 was granted. His claim for a higher initial rating for chronic sinusitis since October 7, 1996 and his claim for a higher initial rating for residuals of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax with subsequent right thoracotomy and decortication prior to December 17, 2002 were also granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 17, 2002 was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new claims raised by the Veteran and inextricably intertwined with the current appeal.

The Veteran has a current bilateral hearing loss disability that is related to his period of active service, and the Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss related to his military service, and the Board finds that he does not have a kidney disability due to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for any of the conditions claimed by the Veteran. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including a need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma incurred during his military service, specifically in combat situations in the Vietnam campaign. As a result, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of his current hearing acuity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the relationship between service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, requiring further clarification from the examiner.

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

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot grant service connection for these conditions.