Hearing loss Board decisions

The VA has remanded the case for a follow-up opinion to address whether the decrease in hearing acuity shown at separation from service is related to noise exposure during service and if so, whether current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to that decreased hearing acuity and noise exposure.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss warrants a noncompensable (0%) disability rating since the initial grant of service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle sprain, and low back strain with arthritis were granted. The veteran was also denied service connection for a skin rash to include contact dermatitis, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and entitlement to service connection for muscle weakness, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, a back disorder, headaches, chest pain, and muscle spasms. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing impairment is below the threshold for any higher evaluation.

The RO granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10% rating, effective March 12, 2004. The veteran appealed the effective date.

The Board has ordered that all relevant medical records be obtained and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and shell fragment wound residuals. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted a rating of 30 percent effective May 7, 2001.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to May 7, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine, bilateral knee, vertigo, hearing loss, and eye scarring conditions. The evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The lung disability issue is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss, as the audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and myopia. The Board also found no evidence of left knee or right ankle disabilities or joint stiffness.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of excision of lipoma were denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of an evaluation in excess of the current rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not show a current right ear hearing disability related to service. The veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently established, but it did not meet VA compensation criteria at the time of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hip disability is service connected based on continuity of symptomatology from service. The hearing loss claim was denied as there is no current hearing loss by VA standards.

The veteran's claims for service connection of various joint disabilities and varicocele are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records, schedule the veteran for a comprehensive VA examination, and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in hearing judge and will schedule a travel board hearing for the veteran.