Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied in a June 2005 rating decision. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including compliance with VCAA notice requirements and scheduling of a VA audiometry examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as the evidence does not show that the schedular criteria are inadequate for evaluating his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiological examination and nexus opinion regarding the veteran's hearing loss, as well as verification of whether the veteran was engaged in combat during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, an ulcer, residuals of heat exhaustion and fatigue, a left ankle sprain, and a dental condition involving wisdom teeth. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely due to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability. The veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Tinnitus and the psychiatric disability were not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure or service. The Board also found that the veteran's hypertension did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for increased rating of PTSD is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease, right knee and depression as secondary to the veteran's other conditions. Service connection was denied for degenerative disc disease of the low back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The veteran's PTSD, right leg scar, and burns of the hands are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied his claims for higher ratings on these conditions. Service connection was not established for residuals of burns to the face, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he was eligible for a plot or internment allowance due to his honorable service and burial in a private cemetery. The non-service-connected burial allowance claim is denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective March 20, 2008. Prior to this date, the evaluation was 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.