Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a pulmonary disability due to the absence of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation. The veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which prevented further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and residuals of dental trauma are not well-grounded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and determined that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening of the claim. The Board also found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to August 18, 2004 was denied. From August 18, 2004, the RO assigned a 30% rating based on the VA examination results. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral fallen arches is also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current left foot disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed fracture residuals. The hearing loss claim was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss to active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of gunshot wound to the left shoulder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The right inguinal hernia claim was not addressed, as the RO did not provide a statement of the case on this issue. The hepatitis C evaluation from July 11, 2002, is also pending.

The Board has ordered the appellant to undergo VA examinations for his hearing loss and left arm disability. The case is now remanded due to failure to provide notice of the scheduled examinations, and the need to verify the appellant's current address before scheduling further examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not demonstrate an entitlement to such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at Level V.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to noise exposure during service. The claims for service connection were denied.

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

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as new evidence received since the last final denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for residuals of a left side facial injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of current disability that met VA criteria.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for his right and left foot disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's increased evaluation claim for bilateral hearing loss and his separate ratings claim for tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports. The RO is instructed to provide proper VCAA notice, have Dr. B. interpret his September 2005 audiometric examination report, schedule a new VA audiological examination, and readjudicate the claims.