Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at Level I under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied, and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his period of active service, including acknowledged noise exposure while engaged in combat.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss and neurogenic bladder due to multiple sclerosis, prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that there is no evidence of hearing loss in service, and the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable schedular evaluation for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis. The RO subsequently denied referral of the case for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss or right and left knee chondromalacia, but granted service connection for tremors, muscle spasm, and extremity numbness as due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was also granted for severe joint and muscle pain including of the bilateral ankles and left shoulder as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral high frequency neurosensory hearing loss was granted, with an effective date of November 15, 2004. The current rating is 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (venous insufficiency, bilateral hearing loss) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development of the claim is warranted before a final decision can be made. The veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for additional examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is a result of his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral otitis externa was denied, and his attempt to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his auditory acuity levels do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The RO initially granted a 40% rating in April 1995, which became final. In September 2001, the RO denied the veteran's request for an increased rating to 60%. The Board found that as of February 11, 2004, the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and therefore denied his service connection claims.