Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left eye corneal scar, effective from the date of the decision. The hearing loss issue was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of residuals of right knee injury will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's appeal involves the reduction of his disability ratings for service-connected hearing loss. The RO has reduced the rating from 30 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2004 and then increased it to 10 percent effective February 18, 2007. The veteran is requesting a full review of these decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and left wrist disability. The evidence did not show current disabilities that met VA criteria or a relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and a need for further clarification of the reasons behind these inconsistencies.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's tinnitus began during active service or as a result of in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, left knee injury, gastrointestinal problems, hemorrhoids, back injury and bilateral hearing loss are not related to service. The claim for service connection for residuals of a broken jaw is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus or hearing loss that is attributable to his military service. The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure and concluded that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 3, 2003 for service connection of tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the rating assigned is 0 (indicating noncompensable disability).

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is considered to have been aggravated by exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection due to insufficient notification and development of evidence, including obtaining service personnel records and arranging for a VA audiological and ear, nose, and throat examination.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The claim for left ear hearing loss remains at zero percent (noncompensable).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for asthma, hemorrhoids, and right ear hearing loss. The VA found that none of these conditions warranted a rating greater than the current assigned ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hernia, insect bites, and hearing loss. The claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 31, 2002. The TDIU claim was also granted with an effective date of December 31, 2002.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be earlier than May 25, 2004, as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service prior to that date.