Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, the highest rating available under VA regulations. Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss and the evidence does not show a disease or injury related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims. The Veteran's claims are based on direct service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus are more likely than not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise in boiler rooms. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the examination report, and he may be eligible for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine the relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's death was due to polycythemia vera, which is not service-connected. However, the Board finds that the Veteran would have been rated totally disabled for a continuous period of at least 10 years prior to his death if he had filed an informal claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) in January 1988.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by VA medical carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault. Therefore, his claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to May 12, 2008, and in excess of 90 percent as of May 12, 2008.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the service-connected lipoma of the left buttock and bilateral hearing loss, but denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator in the 101st Airborne.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, a disorder manifested by constipation, gout, pinched nerves (numbness of the arms, legs, and feet), and vision disorder. The Veteran did not have current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by the lack of in-service noise exposure and normal hearing at separation. The post-service medical records do not support a finding of current disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability may not be associated with his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has reopened his previously denied claim of PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.