Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's appeals seeking service connection for right ear hearing loss and skin cancer, a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension, a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, and TDIU prior to July 6, 2005 have been dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board has determined that the current record is not sufficiently developed to make a decision on the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability. The veteran needs to undergo an audiological examination and receive corrective VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, right ear was reopened and the claim is denied.,The medical evidence does not establish a current disability related to viral gastroenteritis (claimed as a stomach disorder).,The determination that the veteran's tinea corporis resolved without residuals does not establish any fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection, and does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,There is no provision of the laws governing veterans' benefits which authorizes a grant of service connection to the veteran for his child's toe deformity on the basis of exposure to chemicals in Southeast Asia.,The medical determination that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome does not establish any fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection, and does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,There is no provision of the laws governing veterans' benefits which authorizes a grant of service connection to the veteran for an immune system disorder.,The absence of medical evidence of any chronic qualifying disability or undiagnosed disorder does not establish any fact necessary to substantiate a claim for service connection, and does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,Medical evidence obtained which demonstrates assignment of current diagnoses of PTSD, major depression, and psychosis by VA examiners and providers is new, since such evidence was not of record at the time of the prior final denial and is material, since it establishes previously unestablished facts necessary for adjudication of claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an ear condition and bilateral hearing loss, have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and therefore, his claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss must be denied by operation of law. The right ear hearing loss issue is pending further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and right ear hearing loss disability was granted. The veteran is also entitled to a 40 percent rating for spondylolysis of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and residuals of shell fragment wounds to various body parts due to a lack of current diagnoses and no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected and warrants a grant of service connection. The VA has assigned a noncompensable evaluation for the residuals of his shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left ankle, which meets the criteria for a moderately severe injury to Muscle Group XI. For PTSD, the VA has awarded an initial 30 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including scheduling of a personal hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at an approximate balance and resolving all doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service.,While the veteran has bilateral hearing loss, it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss in the left ear and opined that service connection for right ear hearing loss is not warranted due to lack of aggravation. Service connection was denied for otitis media and Meniere's disease as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no medical evidence to support a link between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran did not exhibit these conditions in service or otherwise relate to his active military duty.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection, were denied. The Board found no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of the current rating for bilateral tinnitus and determined that there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for a bilateral ear disability, including otitis externa.