Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to reconcile conflicting audiometric test results. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims to reopen previously denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and essential hypertension, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for otitis media with left ear hearing loss, have been denied. His combined disability evaluation remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as clarification of the appellant's military service status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for arthralgia of the elbows and hands on a direct basis or as due to an undiagnosed illness, and service connection for abnormal weight fluctuations on a direct basis or as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the audiometric testing shows Level IV hearing acuity in both ears, which corresponds to a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a hearing and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine if the veteran currently has hearing loss and its etiology.

The veteran was awarded special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective May 25, 2000. The effective date is being upheld as it meets the criteria established by VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for calcified granuloma (claimed as a result of exposure to asbestos) and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, right ear hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The claim to reopen service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied. An earlier effective date for right ear hearing loss was not granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left biceps disorder, and left knee disorder. The remaining issues of fibrocystic breast disease and residuals of cryosurgery or colposcopy of the cervix are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for heart disease, renal cancer, and hearing loss. However, new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The underlying service connection claim is denied as the preponderance of the evidence is against it.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for such.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, effective October 4, 2000, resulted in a combined disability rating of 80 percent. The RO determined that the veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, effective October 4, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his audiometric results do not support such a finding.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, as defined by regulation. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted service connection for an anxiety disorder. The current rating for bilateral hearing loss is 20 percent.