Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ear hearing loss and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right shoulder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss of the right ear does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining relevant medical records from his VA treatment facility in Bay Pines, Florida.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and aortic valve deficiency. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

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

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision, and the claim was not filed before August 8, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne vulgaris and hearing loss in the right ear, as well as his claim for service connection for residuals of a 5th metatarsal fracture. The RO granted service connection for otitis media, left ear.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an impaired hearing disability in his right ear meeting VA compensation criteria, and thus denied service connection for hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially granted a 10 percent rating effective September 15, 2003. He is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The veteran's claims of service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The increased rating claim for right ear hearing loss is also being remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is not well-grounded as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus remains August 9, 2000.,Service connection for chronic headaches and Meniere's disease are remanded to the RO.

The Board denied service connection for a hearing loss disorder, but granted service connection for a nervous disorder (Major Depression).,There is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or current hearing loss disability. The veteran's psychiatric condition was diagnosed after service and not related to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions. The Board has granted a compensable disability evaluation (30%) for the service-connected ureteral calculi.

The Board has not decided the service connection for tinnitus, but has reopened the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the hearing loss claim is mixed - some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to acoustic trauma experienced during service, and grants service connection for this condition.