Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA audiometric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiac ischemia and hypertension, left great toe fractures, tinnitus, depression, and hearing loss, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating since the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has jurisdiction to consider the claim of service connection for hearing loss on the merits, but deferred a decision on tinnitus until the hearing loss claim is fully developed.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in the military. Resolving reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor, the Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 14, 2004, and 20 percent since then.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his intent regarding the effective dates and initial ratings assigned for his right thumb condition and hearing loss. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to incidents of military service, as there is no objective evidence revealing hearing loss or tinnitus during or for years after service. The veteran served in combat with the enemy in Korea but did not meet VA criteria for hearing loss disability until 26 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and PTSD was not diagnosed. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated nasal septum and sinus disability were denied. His claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the bilateral knees, residuals of asbestos exposure, and tinea pedis were all denied. The Board found no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, hypercholesterolemia, a left shoulder condition, and a left knee condition. The veteran was not granted an increased rating for her lumbosacral strain with minimal degenerative changes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus condition. The appeal is also REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left arm/wrist/hand and right arm/elbow disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability claim was not addressed as it pertained to a different RO decision.

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

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The claims for increased rating for PTSD are referred to the RO.