Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected atherosclerotic coronary artery disease with hypertension and nephritis was granted at 60 percent effective June 3, 2002. The evaluation was increased to 100 percent effective August 14, 2003 for the period from June 3, 2002 until August 14, 2003.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of hearing loss. However, it was determined that the veteran's current hearing loss did not meet the threshold levels defined by VA regulation for a hearing impairment. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it is manifested by auditory acuity level II in each ear. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to changes in his symptoms and the need for a new VA examination. The issues include determining if tinnitus and disequilibrium are associated with his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

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

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as 10 percent for the time period from January 7, 2002 to the present. The Board found that the severity of his service-connected hearing loss disability residuals more nearly approximated the 10 percent rating currently assigned.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, but granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus based on noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 40 percent, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss is not causally related to his military service or any incident therein, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for all twelve claimed conditions, finding that the appellant did not have a radiation-exposed veteran status and there was no objective evidence of actual exposure to ionizing radiation during her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left hand injury were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for fractures of both clavicles was also denied.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is manifested by no more than level II hearing in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to evaluate the veteran's hearing loss, which may be related to in-service acoustic trauma. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, restoration of a 20 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, service connection for his headache and neck disabilities, left hand disability, memory loss, and vision problems. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are denied as there is no evidence of a link between any claimed conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for treatment of a service-connected left foot disability.