Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional records are needed from the Syracuse VA Medical Center to support the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and scarred eardrums. The veteran is also advised of his right to submit any relevant evidence in his possession.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The RO previously denied this claim in December 1986, which is considered final. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a program of vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right eardrum rupture and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 12, 2004. The evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's pre-existing pes planus was not aggravated by service, while his in-service tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C.A., Chapter 35.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's hearing loss to service, including exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam. The veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule, as his puretone thresholds were within normal limits and he did not have significant hearing impairment in either ear. The RO found no evidence of service connection for hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for post-traumatic headache and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and development. The RO will obtain any relevant private treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide VCAA notice.

The RO granted service connection for the status post resection auricular deformity, right side and assigned a noncompensable rating. The claim of service connection for a mouth disorder is pending due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder is also pending due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to inadequate VCAA notice, failure to consider VA audiologic examination results, and incomplete treatment records.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for benign positional vertigo, as it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be remanded to allow further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disability or ear disability (to include hearing loss and tinnitus) related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of tinnitus related to military service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim was remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis, finding that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left testicular disability, salivary gland disability, throat disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were found to be not related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.