Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, left knee arthrotomy residuals, and right knee disability are each rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent. The veteran's right wrist injury is currently evaluated as a non-compensable disability.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the medical evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found no current disabilities for the low back, right knee, or right ankle. The hearing loss was within normal limits. Service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability in service and no medical nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's dermatophytosis/dermatitis was granted a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain updated evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and hearing loss.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the existing evidence did not establish a current disability of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for high frequency hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for residuals of a right eyebrow laceration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, while his tinnitus was not caused by or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 23, 2006 and a 50 percent rating from January 23, 2006. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the initial, noncompensable rating currently assigned for a bilateral ear hearing loss is proper and that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss is not warranted, as the claim was received on August 9, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's perforation of the cecum residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating. As such, the appeals are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the hands, arms, and feet on a presumptive basis due to active military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, poor blood circulation, and numbness of the hands, arms, and feet is denied.