Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's right brachial plexus injury (major) and has also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the left ear does not warrant an increased disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Board also found that any current GI disorder is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed vertigo and loss of balance are not related to service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claims for service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is already assigned a maximum schedular evaluation, and therefore he cannot be granted an increased rating.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings. The veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA compensation standards, and his cervical spine disability has been rated appropriately based on the severity of symptoms prior to March 26, 2004 and since that date.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and the only competent medical opinion stated that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The decision on left ear hearing loss is pending further development.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gout of the feet. The claim for gout of the feet was denied as there is no evidence linking it to active military service.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus since December 10, 2001. The issue of entitlement to compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for schizophrenia, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for schizophrenia, and there was no evidence linking hepatitis C to service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus to his active service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. His bilateral hearing loss claim was not supported by evidence of a current disability, while his headaches, back pain, and thumb sprain claims resulted in maximum allowable ratings.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for otitis media, finding that his service-connected condition has not resulted in any chronic suppurative otitis media or other significant hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or as a result of military service.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.