Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by pure tone threshold averages and speech recognition scores that correspond to level 'I' hearing on the right and level 'I' hearing on the left. The Board finds that the evidence of record preponderates against an initial compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, and shrapnel injuries. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and translating Spanish language documents. The veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, skin disability, and sensorineural hearing loss are still pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was initially granted, but no specific evaluation was assigned prior to June 28, 2008.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from July 10, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and low back disorder, finding that his current conditions did not meet the criteria for such. The broken left second toe was also found to not nearly approximate a moderate foot injury warranting a compensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than Level I auditory acuity in both ears since July 13, 2000. The RO determined that the schedular criteria for a compensable rating have not been met at any time since then.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure, while his hearing loss is not. The veteran was exposed to loud noises during service and has reported a continuity of symptoms since then.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date prior to April 14, 2004 for the grants of service connection and benefits.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the initial non-compensable rating assigned for residuals of a right hand fracture with deformity of the fifth metacarpal.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and special monthly compensation based on bilateral deafness are denied as they cannot be assigned prior to May 26, 2005 due to the finality of the March 2002 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is needed to address the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there may be an issue of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was exacerbated during active duty with the Air Force Reserve. The VA is required to provide a VA audiologist examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to this period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a higher initial rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of current hearing impairment as defined by VA standards.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and any relevant post-service medical records.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in October and November 2005 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.