Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence that a claim was filed prior to September 25, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders, laceration and cellulitis of the left hypothenar area, right bunionectomy, left bunionectomy, DuVries-Mann claw toe operation of the left second toe, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected due to combat-related noise exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and needs further development before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was incurred during service and is not due to a pre-existing condition. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted, specifically right ear hearing loss and left foot condition. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The veteran's hearing loss was rated at 40 percent prior to May 17, 2004 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The veteran is now entitled to a 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a skin disability, and a right foot disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are likely due to noise exposure during his military service. The claims were reopened based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his medical records.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss within one year after service and the July 2004 VA examiner's opinion was more probative than the July 2005 VA medical record. The veteran's current hearing loss is not presumed due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted. The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension remains pending as the most recent medical records are dated in September 2005.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the validity of the veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The RO must schedule examinations and obtain verification of claimed stressors before these issues can be adjudicated.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, arthritis of the right hand, and a back disorder have been denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened due to new evidence provided by private physicians indicating that his current condition may be related to service.,No evidence was found linking the veteran's current conditions (arthritis of the right hand and a back disorder) to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability evaluations for his hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left ankle fracture residuals, shell fragment wound of the left leg, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to insufficient notice provided and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service and that the post-service diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and severe mandibular prognathism were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including noise exposure. The examiner concluded that the current disabilities are less likely as not related to service.

The veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, and shell fragment wound of the right upper arm are not rated higher than their current levels. The Board finds no evidence to support increased ratings for these conditions.