Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 40 percent disability rating effective July 28, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not cause his death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle disability and left ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 10% assigned for moderate limitation of motion of the right ankle, and there was no service connection established for any other conditions related to the issues.

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

The veteran's service-connected right otitis media status-post tympanoplasty is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The RO has determined that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his most recent audiometric test results.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, effective April 15, 2002.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a prior decision due to failure to specify the date of the Board decision at issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and other pertinent documents.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was caused by exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and were not shown to be causally related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition was not related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have left ear hearing loss, and denied his claim for service connection.,Regarding the cervical spine/upper back condition, the VA found insufficient evidence to grant service connection on a direct basis or as secondary to service-connected shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if there is pathology superimposed on the veteran's pre-existing respiratory disorder during service and whether his current hearing loss disability is related to his active service. The claims will be readjudicated following this development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of cold injury to the hands, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are addressed in the remand following this order.