Hearing loss Board decisions

The VA granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss but assigned a noncompensable evaluation, which is the lowest possible rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, arthritis of multiple joints (to include knees and pelvis), and a left shoulder disability (claimed as arthritis).

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 30 percent rating effective July 15, 2004.,The veteran's service-connected otitis media is not currently compensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 31, 2003 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The RO granted service connection for these conditions in September 2003 with a noncompensable rating, effective March 31, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization due to these conditions, thus preventing a referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of left ear otitis media. The case is being returned to the RO for this purpose.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already in place. The claim for increased tinnitus rating remains pending.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, ED as secondary to diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, and hearing loss were all denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his military service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The appellant seeks an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The VA has remanded the case to obtain updated audiometric test results and a new evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cholesteatoma, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a compensable rating under the applicable VA criteria.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted initial evaluations of 20%, 40%, and 60% from August 11, 1993, to July 25, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no doubt about their etiology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and his PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The claims are denied.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's hearing loss, impaired vision, memory loss, or muscle control and strength of the left arm, hand, shoulder, leg, and foot were caused by VA treatment. The claim is denied.