Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during National Guard service, while his left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The arthritis of the left hand and wrist is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service frostbite.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and active military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since January 26, 2006.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to April 1, 2008 was denied.,Since April 1, 2008, a compensable (non-compensable) rating has been assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial evaluation, as his auditory acuity levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The right shoulder disability claim is not addressed as it does not involve service connection.

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective November 3, 2007. Prior to that date, the veteran had no compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not linked to service, including in-service noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for gout, mixed hearing loss in his right ear, and suppurative otitis media with perforation in his right ear.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient information about his claimed stressors and the need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The RO found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as his current evaluation is already at the maximum schedular rating (10%). For tinnitus, he currently receives the highest schedular rating of 10%, which cannot be increased further under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of medical evidence diagnosing the condition.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Alcohol Dependence, and Bilateral Hearing Loss. The veteran's reported combat-related stressors were considered verified, but the VA examiner found no evidence of current PTSD. Service connection was not granted as a matter of law due to alcohol dependence being presumed from his own willful misconduct.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examination results.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, carcinoma of the colon, a skin condition, and PTSD. The denial was based on the absence of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during his active service. Bilateral hearing loss was granted, while tinnitus was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or PTSD, depression, or mixed adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied due to insufficient evidence supporting his claimed stressors during active duty.