Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for examinations and additional records.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 31, 1997 for the award of Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on evidence showing the veteran became unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective December 6, 2004. The veteran's hearing loss is manifested by moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated, but did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the new version of the schedule based on audiological results. The noncompensable evaluation is assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. For his left and right ear hearing loss, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are secondary to malaria or aggravated by noise exposure during service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids and a separate compensable evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The veteran's service-connected conditions are rated as 0 percent, but the Board found no evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, disability of the right knee manifested by instability, and right knee arthritis. The RO continued to deny these claims based on the evidence provided.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, with the examiner stating it was more likely related to post-service factors.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left leg disorder due to inconsistencies in previous opinions.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and service, including manifestations of sensorineural hearing loss to a compensable degree within one year following the veteran's discharge from service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ear condition and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 60 percent.

The veteran's bilateral ear drum scarring with deformed drums is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for a bilateral hearing loss remains pending as the RO has not issued a statement of the case.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO assigned a 30 percent evaluation prior to February 9, 1999; a 40 percent evaluation from February 9, 1999 to June 10, 1999; and a 50 percent evaluation effective June 10, 1999.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic suppurative mastoiditis warrants a 10 percent disability rating, which is the highest possible under the applicable diagnostic code. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and malignant fibrous histiocytoma, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The appellant's claim for hearing loss is granted as it is related to noise exposure in service. However, his claim for malignant fibrous histiocytoma cannot be linked to service due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating for his service-connected low back disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new rating criteria. The veteran's current disability is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and inguinal hernia have been dismissed due to the veteran's withdrawal of these claims.