Hearing loss Board decisions

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board found that the veteran does not have tinnitus or hearing loss that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder or hearing loss in his right ear related to service. However, he was granted service connection for hearing loss in his left ear.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and denied both higher initial disability ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound residuals with Muscle Group XVIII injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and right shoulder disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link it to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity of symptoms for these conditions, and there is no objective medical evidence linking current hearing loss and tinnitus to any incident, injury, or disease during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service and concluding that his current hearing loss is not related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, granting his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for parapsoriasis, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant such ratings based on VA audiometry results.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical evidence and arranging for a VA audiometric examination to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left thumb scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his service, warranting service connection. However, there is no evidence linking his tinnitus to his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a cervical spine disability, and residuals of a head injury. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the upper lumbar spine was not addressed as it is no longer on appeal.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the feet were denied. The claims for hypertension and pes planus are pending as they have been reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus in his right ear and hearing loss in his right ear are related to service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic hypertension, and a separate compensable evaluation for diabetic retinopathy. The evidence received since the December 2001 rating decision was found to be cumulative and did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is not sufficiently developed to make a decision on the veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The case is therefore being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations.