Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in October 1984.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and squamous cell skin cancer are not service-connected. The evidence does not show these conditions were present during or within one year after service, nor is there any competent medical evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted as incurred in service. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial. The claims for residuals of low back injury, neck injury, bilateral leg disability, knee disability, and foot disabilities remain denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has decided that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the veteran's hearing disorder.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for such an evaluation based on the audiometric results provided.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent audiometric test reports from a VA facility and scheduling him for an examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board has granted a 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 20, 1998 and denied any higher rating on or after that date.

The veteran's bilateral defective hearing is not service-connected.,Chronic tinnitus and vertigo are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no competent evidence of these conditions. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30% for bipolar disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with some issues receiving a noncompensable evaluation and others receiving compensable evaluations.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA disability compensation regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum evaluation available. The RO granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a 10 percent rating each effective from November 14, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and granted noncompensable ratings for burn scars on the right arm, right elbow bursitis, and syringomyelia. The veteran was not granted increased ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during active service or within any prescribed presumptive period and was not linked to disease or injury in service. The examiner stated that the veteran’s hearing loss was more likely related to post-service noise exposure.