Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in or were caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his depression associated with high frequency, sensorineural bilateral hearing loss is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not granted higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and is now pending further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by Level II hearing acuity, bilaterally. The criteria for an initial compensable evaluation are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected synovitis of the left hand and fifth finger is rated as noncompensable under DC 5156, which rates amputation of the little finger without metacarpal resection. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,There is no medical evidence linking bilateral hearing loss to service or any other in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's first reported onset of bilateral hearing loss occurred approximately 24 years after his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not service-connected, and his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an additional VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, osteoporosis, bilateral heel spurs, a skin disorder (rash), and peripheral neuropathy were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA criteria for disability.

The Veteran is granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for low back disorder and facial pain (manifested by).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder. The decision found that his current conditions are not related to his active service or any aspect thereof.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, or right leg disorder for VA purposes. As such, service connection is denied for all claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board finds that further RO action is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records, particularly regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding no nexus between his current hearing loss and military service or any incident thereof.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently evaluated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective March 1, 2006, his schedular rating is at least total.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment and sleep disorder were not related to his period of active service, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Board denied service connection for chronic right and left ear hearing loss disabilities, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions did not increase in severity during active service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to his service, including verification of dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).