Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. The initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence relating his current disability to his military service or the one-year presumptive period.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30 percent evaluation for the period from February 3, 2003 to August 15, 2005 and a 10 percent evaluation for the period commencing on August 16, 2005.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on his housebound status.

The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, basal cell carcinoma, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's initial (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral foot condition, and a bilateral elbow condition. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and potential rescheduling of examinations to assess his PTSD and hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability warranted a noncompensable (0 percent) rating based on audiometric test results, and denied his claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after separation, and the VA audiologist did not find a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his military service and his condition. The Board also noted conflicting opinions regarding whether the veteran's hearing loss was related to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, kidney disorder, incontinence, prostate enlargement (claimed as prostate cancer), arthritis of multiple joints and the spine, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision found no evidence of these conditions during active duty or continuity of symptomatology thereafter.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 10, 2006. The earlier effective date claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The veteran's residuals of a right sternoclavicular joint dislocation are rated at 10 percent, as equivalent to malunion of the clavicle or scapula.,For his residuals of a left elbow soft tissue injury, the Board finds that he is entitled to an increased evaluation to 20 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran's nasal allergies and sinusitis are service-connected, as they had their onset during her active duty. The other issues remain pending for further review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ruptured ear drum, migraine headaches, right ankle disorder, depression, residuals of right palm laceration, and ear infections. The decision also addressed other issues such as asthma, mouth surgery, and lung cyst.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation based on current VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased evaluation, and thus denied his claim for a compensable disability rating.