Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a causal link to any incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disability, residuals of a right forearm and upper arm injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The denial was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or additional service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional VA audiological testing and review of private records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board found no basis for a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and service connection for a bladder condition. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the veteran's bladder condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied prior to September 10, 2004. However, from that date forward, he is now entitled to an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss or lung disorder to service. The veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sexual dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was reopened but still denied on the merits. The claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction was also denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 14, 2000 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU at that time.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The initial and subsequent ratings for his left shoulder disability are denied as they do not meet the required criteria.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic disability for which service connection could be granted, including left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, left knee and right knee disabilities, or right shoulder disability. The preponderance of evidence was against each claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if there is sufficient hearing loss in the right ear to meet VA disability criteria and to reassess the status of his hearing loss, including in his left ear.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for left ear otitis media and hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence to support its occurrence or causation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and ear aches/dizziness are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.