Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because he does not have current hearing loss disability according to VA standards.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but he received an increased disability evaluation of 30 percent effective March 14, 2007. The Board remanded the claim for service connection for a back and neck disability for further development.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but ultimately determined that the veteran's current hearing loss was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are likely related to noise exposure during active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss, back disability, and lung scarring were not related to his service.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were determined to be related to his military service, while right ear hearing loss was not.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is manifested by impairment of memory, daily nightmares, disturbances of mood, near-constant anxiety, tangential speech, and a difficulty in maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent rating are met.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in active service, but tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for malaria, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions being incurred or aggravated during active service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the current level of disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to the RO via the AMC for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma, current disability, or a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service. The claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded to obtain corroborating evidence of an alleged stressor event.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the November 1954 rating decision or the February 1994 rating decision regarding the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus was denied as the 10 percent disability rating is the maximum schedular rating available under the applicable regulations.

The veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, schizophrenia (previously evaluated as a personality disorder), bilateral tinnitus, low back disability, left ankle disability, chronic kidney failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and no medical nexus to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not file a claim prior to February 25, 2004.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to schedule an additional examination with a more accurate post-service noise exposure history.