Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for migraine headaches prior to June 30, 2008. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches after June 30, 2008 is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not have a direct relationship to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The Board also noted that the gap in medical records between service discharge and first reported symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus strongly suggests these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 20, 2008 is denied. A rating in excess of 70 percent from November 20, 2008 is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of frostbite to the fingers, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss was attributed to post-service acoustic trauma, while his claimed frostbite residuals were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flat feet was not aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for hypertension due to withdrawal. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not related to service or noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. The Board grants a 10% rating for his right knee disability effective February 12, 1996 and finds that the earliest possible effective date for this rating is February 12, 1996. The claim for an earlier effective date for the right knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right thigh disability, a lump above the collarbone, or a left knee disability. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence linking them to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service. The left knee injury with residual degenerative joint disease resulted in a noncompensable evaluation, which was subsequently increased to 20 percent effective January 27, 1997. The Veteran's left knee limitation of motion is rated separately at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for service connection for a back condition remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic neurologic disability manifested by hand and arm numbness, hypertension did not increase in severity during service, and hearing loss of the left ear was not shown to have increased in severity during service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, lower back condition, and PTSD. The claims for service connection for a shoulder condition were referred to the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and mild bilateral pes planus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's current hearing loss conditions. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to increased ratings for right ear hearing loss on both schedular and extraschedular bases are also being addressed.