Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is determined to be caused by service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for proper issuance of a Statement of the Case and to provide him an opportunity to perfect his appeal. The case will be returned to the Board after any necessary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss is not causally related to his period of active service and may not be presumed to be.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before the Travel Board.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The decision found that his hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation based on VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's back and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are service-connected. The psychiatric, right leg, and left leg disabilities have not been linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and right ear hearing loss were denied. The current noncompensable rating assigned to the right ear hearing loss is maintained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on either a direct or secondary basis, and the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 7, 2002 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the January 2003 rating decision assigning this effective date has become final.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal regarding the evaluation of his hearing loss disability remains pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn at a hearing. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with psychotic features was dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder, to include foot fungus were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of prostate cancer was granted with a 40 percent evaluation effective September 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as his GAF score indicates mild symptoms and he is able to perform activities of daily living. His hearing aids allow him to work in most situations, and his tinnitus is described as bothersome rather than disabling.