Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to January 16, 2007 and remains at that level from January 16, 2007. The current rating accurately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation prior to December 8, 2006 or a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning December 8, 2006.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing acuity, at worst, is Level II in the right ear and Level III in the left ear. The assigned noncompensable (zero percent) disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his combined rating is 70 percent and he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on disability alone.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires additional development, including a VA audiogram compliant with 38 C.F.R. § 4.85 and an examination to determine if the veteran has current bilateral hearing loss and whether it is at least as likely as not causally linked to his military noise exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current lung condition and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability were not incurred or aggravated by his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD and hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim for PTSD was denied due to insufficient corroborated stressor events, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss did not result from service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right arm and shoulder disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective November 19, 2003.,From May 9, 2005, the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 80 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The effective date of service connection for left ear hearing loss is also under review.

The veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for hearing loss or 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran did not have these conditions prior to service entrance and that they are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities as defined by VA regulations.

The VA has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but assigned a zero percent rating, which is the lowest possible rating.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and the claim for corneal scars was also denied. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.