Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently evaluated as noncompensable. The RO has ordered additional development including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA audiometry examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his puretone thresholds were within normal limits and he did not have any specific patterns of hearing impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury and residuals of a right ankle injury.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for patello-femoral degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as a compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear, were denied by the RO. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating as it is currently classified at Level II in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for both chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic bilateral tinnitus, finding that the veteran's inservice noise exposure contributed to these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and arranging for a VA audiologist examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current disability is likely due to his active military service. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of this document and will be remanded to the RO.

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

The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for shrapnel wound to the back, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a cold weather injury, and PTSD. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asbestosis, is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and alcoholism are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, vertigo, and tinnitus were denied. The effective dates of service connection for these conditions are also not established.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 60 percent rating, effective November 17, 1997, to March 28, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, rated at 60% combined, are found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his limited education and industrial background.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, photophobia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to additional development being required. The veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information on these conditions' etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation of the veteran's hearing loss, including a current audiological examination.

The RO denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision is considered final as of March 1995.