Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that November 6, 2001 is the correct date.,The Board also granted an earlier effective date of September 6, 2002 for the grant of service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right foot and lower right leg.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating as it currently manifests at Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a gastrointestinal disability, and arteriosclerotic heart disease due to lack of evidence showing an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus due to a lack of timely filed Substantive Appeal on the matter of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral high frequency hearing loss effective from August 23, 2002.,An effective date of October 1, 2001, was assigned for the veteran's award of a 10 percent disability evaluation for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected hearing loss, tinnitus, headache disorder (claimed as secondary to tinnitus), vertigo, or sinusitis.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional VCAA notice. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service in the military. The case will be returned for further development, including a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a compensable disability rating in any of the issues on appeal.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service and did not manifest within the first year after separation from active duty. Therefore, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The right knee arthritis rating reduction was also found to be improper.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus or flat feet, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the hearing loss claim and concluding that the pre-existing pes planus did not increase in disability during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is at Level I in both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability of either condition and that any potential noise exposure during service did not result in a present hearing impairment or ringing in the ears.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 2, 2001, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.