Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling. The Board finds that the current noncompensable evaluation is appropriate and no higher evaluation is warranted at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial, compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a left lower lobe pulmonary nodule, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran currently has symptoms of PTSD related to his military service, but there is no evidence of a current respiratory disability.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, facial skin blemishes, and a prostate disability; entitlement to an increased rating for epidermophytosis; and entitlement to a compensable rating for malaria. The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for audiometric testing and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing loss examination to assess the current level of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is attributable to service and was granted service connection. The claims for anal fissures, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for left knee/leg disorder, right knee/leg disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or within one year after service, as well as the absence of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is appropriate for tinnitus, as there are no legal grounds to award a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the current level of disability does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral ear disability, claimed as bilateral hearing loss, was not incurred during active duty service and is not otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable (0 percent) from April 15, 2005 to August 28, 2008 and increased to 30 percent since August 29, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). His combined evaluation is 50 percent, which does not meet the required percentage under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service, and his PTSD did not result in total occupational or social impairment. Therefore, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board finds that it is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure in the military. Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, right ear hearing loss was incurred in service.

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

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between his current conditions and his military service.