Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, eye disorder, and chronic skin fungus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any herbicide exposure.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and thus his claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is found to be caused by noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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

The veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 30 percent, and the right wrist disability warrants a 30 percent rating. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for verification of stressors related to PTSD and additional development of private treatment records.

The veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since October 26, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level II, resulting in a noncompensable disability evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service medical records, determine if he was a combat veteran for purposes of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b), and schedule the veteran for VA examinations to assess his claimed disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care and to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or PTSD during service, and the veteran did not engage in combat. The VA examiner could not determine if current bilateral hearing loss or PTSD is related to service without resorting to speculation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new evidence submitted since the final denial supports a finding of service connection. However, the Board also finds that the current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to July 23, 2004. The evidence did not support higher ratings for PTSD or a finding of unemployability due solely to service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensable prior to November 10, 2003. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent since that date is pending.