Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, but denied service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The issue of left ear hearing loss is remanded, and the issue of sinus disorder is also remanded.

The veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 3, 2000, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as these claims represent the first claim following a final Board decision in July 1984.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent since December 1985.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. His hypertension is aggravated by his PTSD, but his heart condition is not related to his PTSD.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from October 22, 1997 to March 20, 2002.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not productive of impairment that warrants a compensable evaluation under VA regulations, and therefore the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board found that the September 2002 rating decision reducing the veteran's hearing loss rating from 100% to 20% was proper, and granted a 50% rating effective December 1, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his attempt to reopen his claim for left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not show that he had current disabilities or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

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

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, increased the rating for Ramsey Hunt Syndrome with left eye blepharospasm to 20 percent, and denied an increase in Raynaud's phenomenon. The veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as his current noncompensable rating is appropriate based on the April 2003 VA examination results.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a comprehensive audiometric examination to assess the impact of his service-connected hearing loss on his ability to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability is not more than 0% disabling and denied his claim for service connection for actinic keratoses with resulting basal cell carcinoma. The appeal was not about service connection at all, as it pertained to a clothing allowance or fee dispute.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and declining eyesight due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.