Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of a low back injury, and bilateral knee condition. The decision also noted that the RO reviewed the claim on de novo basis after initially reviewing it as final.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting an audiological examination.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder or hearing loss that was incurred in service. The veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence supporting a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left total knee replacements, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in combat during his military service.,Service connection is granted for hearing loss and tinnitus, with doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination of the veteran's left leg and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus. The issues are service connection for left leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's statements indicated his intent to appeal the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and granted service connection for this condition. However, it did not assign a rating as he had already received a noncompensable (0%) evaluation in September 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection and that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or aggravation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the current evaluation of 40 percent is considered sufficient based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the veteran's service-connected condition did not meet the schedular criteria during any portion of the appeal period.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records. The examiner will assess the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a disability rating of 70 percent. The initial ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound of the right neck and upper lip remain at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or left eardrum rupture, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after service but there is insufficient evidence to establish its onset during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or hypertension to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a right leg disorder due to insufficient evidence of current disability.