Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal regarding the June 1994 decision denying service connection for tinnitus is pending and has been reopened based on new evidence.

The veteran's disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, atherosclerotic aorta, chronic cough, nape pain, and periodic respiratory symptoms, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The VA has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral hearing loss disorders are not service-connected. The evidence does not show any specific diagnoses or findings related to these conditions during active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period from April 3, 2000, to March 28, 2004, and does not meet criteria for a higher rating beginning March 29, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examination and evidence for the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and residuals, right hand disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, chloracne, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety), sinusitis, cervical spine myositis, and lumbar spine myositis were denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is not service-connected, but his right ear disorder and hearing loss disability are considered incurred in active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for skin cancer is remanded for further development.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus, has been granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent effective September 26, 2003. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains unresolved.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, while his left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a more current VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effectively dismissing the issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not establish a link to service or current disability.

The Board has requested additional development to determine if the veteran has hearing loss and whether it is related to service, as his claim was previously denied due to lack of a demonstrated hearing disability.

The Board denied service connection for dementia and hearing loss, but granted a 10% disability rating for conjunctivitis. Service connection for bilateral pterygium was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or left kidney disorder, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected chronic serous otitis media of the left ear with perforated tympanic membrane, hearing loss, and headaches have not been found to warrant a higher initial rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.