Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss disability, including both sensorineural and mixed components, is related to noise exposure during his active military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that his current hearing loss or PTSD are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than October 4, 2004 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no legal basis to assign such a date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no legal entitlement to such dates based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and secondary labyrinthitis were rated at the lowest possible levels, with a separate rating granted for his labyrinthitis. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence not yet considered by the RO.

The veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is rated as Level I, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on new evidence. The effective date of any benefits was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, hearing loss, and lung disorder in June 2002. The RO has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for chronic otitis media, residuals of suppurative otitis media, and tinnitus. The right inguinal hernia claim remains denied.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 40 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from June 1964 (the date of his service discharge).

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a link to the veteran's military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of engaging in substantially gainful employment despite his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The VA granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective May 15, 2003. The veteran requested an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded it to the RO. The claims for tinnitus and right ear perforation are granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher initial ratings are warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to acoustic trauma during active service. The residuals of a fractured jaw are also found to be related to service.