Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, an increased rating for peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and a prior effective date for PUD. The Veteran was also denied secondary service connection for hiatal hernia, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome, right hip subtrochanteric bursitis, and anxiety with panic attacks.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show such an exceptional disability picture that the available schedular evaluations were inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to February 16, 2007 was denied. His claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for the period beginning on February 16, 2007 was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination to assess the impact of his hearing loss on his employment and daily activities.

The Veteran's request for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in July 2001, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen it. For chronic bronchitis, there is insufficient evidence of a current disability as established by VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no competent evidence of a connection between his current tinnitus and military service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye condition, hearing loss, epididymitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran was granted service connection for hydradenitis suppurativa in December 2004.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated as 30 percent disabling, the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The Board finds that his current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is manifested by no more than auditory acuity level I, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service, despite a history of in-service noise exposure. The RO found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia residuals do not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to noise exposure in service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for audiogram records from the Veteran's second period of active duty service and his perforated tympanic membrane repair. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for fistulotomy residuals and a fistulotomy scar, but denied the claim for hearing loss. The Veteran is entitled to an initial noncompensable disability rating for his fistulotomy residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and back is granted.