Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board finds sufficient evidence to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The de novo issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the claim for service connection for tinnitus, is being remanded.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a right fifth finger fracture were denied, with the exception that his rating for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 10 percent effective November 29, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. Right ear hearing loss was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there was no demonstration of a current disability.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative changes, is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an increased (compensable) rating for service-connected right ear hearing loss for additional procedural development.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss of the left ear and to reopen service connection for gout are being remanded for further development.

The Board grants service connection for panic disorder with agoraphobia and right ear hearing loss, as the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, a colon disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2006, and the Board found that since July 21, 2008, his PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of multiple VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis as not being incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The veteran's major depressive disorder was found to be manifested by no more than impairment of short-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board denied service connection for chronic otitis media with attic retraction cholesteatoma status post mastoidectomy and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a 20% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective August 7, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating beginning October 1, 2003, but not earlier. The claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2003, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.

The veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss.