Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for cluster headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent, as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these issues must be remanded to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established earlier than June 27, 2003.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was not established earlier than June 27, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple non-compensable disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted under applicable VA regulations.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a sleep disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of left ear hearing loss and denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disability, right shin splints, and left shin splints.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a blunt trauma to the face, neck, and right shoulder are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and the March 1987 decisions denying these claims are now considered final due to lack of a timely appeal. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have tinnitus or hearing loss that is attributable to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current high frequency sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure to aircraft engine noise. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's service connection for degenerative joint disease, L5-S1 was granted with an initial rating of 20 percent. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating remains pending and the RO is instructed to provide a Statement of the Case addressing this matter. The claim of service connection for hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of claimed stressors and providing an audiologist examination to determine if current hearing loss is related to service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent since December 8, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating or an original compensable rating prior to this date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased evaluation for right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between current symptoms and service.

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