Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including a new examination and clarification of disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and consideration of the April 2004 audiogram results. The RO should also consider referral of the case for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss in the left ear, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is not entitled to an increased rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left tympanic membrane perforation and associated hearing loss do not warrant a higher disability rating, as they are currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his period of service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records from his VA medical center in Shreveport. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for increased rating of low back disability was not addressed as it has been resolved by an increase in rating.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board found that his service-connected conditions did not materially contribute to his cause of death. Therefore, burial benefits based on service-connected death are denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and adjudication of the claims on the merits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the left ear does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric results do not warrant any higher evaluation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest date entitlement arose was December 22, 2003.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure during service as a radio teletype operator.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, which was initially documented many years after his discharge from military service, is not related to a disease contracted or an injury sustained in service. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and did not reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The veteran's claims for arthritis of the pelvis and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right forearm burn was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or a back condition that is attributable to his military service. The claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of current disability, and the claim of service connection for a back condition was reopened due to new medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective August 30, 2002. The veteran's psychiatric disability was increased to 30 percent effective April 11, 2001.