Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's headache disorder, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the veteran's psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal is pending further action.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent since July 20, 2005. The initial noncompensable rating remains in effect prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding exposure to combat noise during service and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hand/wrist disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for a left hand/wrist disorder is denied, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss is referred to the RO for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of available service medical records and inability to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and an earlier effective date for service connection were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support reopening his previously denied claim for tinnitus, as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for low back strain and bilateral hearing loss were denied. For the period April 12, 2002 to September 25, 2003, his low back strain was rated at 10 percent. For the period commencing September 26, 2003, his low back strain was rated at 20 percent and bilateral hearing loss remained at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a stapedectomy warrant a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the November 2002 decision.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by hearing at level VII in the left ear and at level VIII in the right ear, warranting a 40 percent rating. The veteran was previously rated at 30 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and his request to reopen a previously denied claim. The decision also dismissed his appeal regarding the April 15, 2003 rating decision that failed to grant separate 10 percent evaluations for tinnitus.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing disability in service and denied the appellant's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, concluding that these conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied his claim. The evidence did not establish a link between the current right ear hearing loss disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a review by a VA examiner to determine if current right ear hearing loss is related to service. The claim for left ear hearing loss will be deferred until after this development.