Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus as a residual of Agent Orange exposure during service was denied. The RO also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial (compensable) evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which was initially rated at 10 percent. The RO has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current level of disability due to allegations of worsening since the last evaluation in October 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation and consideration of additional evidence. The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and malaria are pending.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the RO found that it did not warrant a higher rating based on VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and cannot be presumed to have been present due to his period of military service. The evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's testimony regarding noise exposure during his military service is considered, but the decision on whether this evidence establishes a nexus between current hearing loss and service remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and Meniere's disease due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for tinnitus, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as his average puretone thresholds were level I in both ears.

The Board has granted a total rating of 100 percent for PTSD effective November 13, 2004. The veteran's claim for earlier effective date for the 100 percent total rating is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran incurred these conditions during his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. However, additional development is needed regarding the underlying service connection claim.

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

The Board has determined 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 preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are unrelated to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint syndrome has been reopened, but the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, and for obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a bilateral ankle disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal with respect to a September 1995 rating decision, and therefore denied the appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during his military service and was not caused by any incident of service, thus denying his claim for service connection.