Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his current level of disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for nephritis and encephalitis.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service. The claims for scars and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or a bilateral foot disorder. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, lumbar spine disability (degenerative joint disease), and left knee disorder. The decision found that tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated in service and that a left knee disorder was not proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for depression, hearing loss, and tinnitus are also addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hearing loss, ankle disability, right leg disability, and hernia disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service-connected Meniere's Syndrome, which began in 1957. The Veteran's hearing problems have worsened over time, with significant improvement noted after he left military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective October 1, 2008.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the glaucoma claim, and determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and he was granted a disability rating of 40 percent for his bilateral hearing loss prior to August 12, 2004. The case remains pending for further review regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, finding that his current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely due to acoustic trauma during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, vertigo, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence. The claim of entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a keloid scar of the mid-chest is denied as there is no medical nexus indicating causation with service.