Hearing loss Board decisions

The VA reduced the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40% to 20%, effective October 1, 2007. The reduction was based on improvement shown in his condition as evidenced by two audiometric evaluations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The Veteran's tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development due to missing records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service, and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. Tinnitus was not shown during service or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not show any hearing problems during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing acuity levels, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant an evaluation in excess of zero percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of arthritis bilateral hands, low back disorder with arthritis, peripheral neuropathy lower extremity, bilateral knee condition secondary to low back problem, and arthritis bilateral rib cage. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for oral lesions, dental caries, and tooth loss were denied due to lack of legal basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the time gap between any potential injury and diagnosis was too long to establish causation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current hearing loss to his active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective May 30, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for PTSD is being remanded.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been clinically shown to be manifested by no worse than Level III hearing in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable initial evaluation for his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's in-service hearing was normal and there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.