Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred during service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that December 17, 2001 was the earliest communication from the veteran expressing intent to reopen his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions originated in service due to combat-related acoustic trauma. The veteran's tinnitus is considered secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of a stomach disorder and hearing loss. The veteran's original claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions in service or post-service.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection of a right knee disability, defective hearing of the right ear, and a right eye disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was caused by barometric pressure changes in service and grants the claim of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA audiology evaluation to determine the current severity of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acne. The Board found that a chronic acquired bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is one proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected residuals of a back injury. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown in active service, nor is it presumed for organic disease of the nervous system (sensorineural hearing loss). The Board also found that preexisting acne did not permanently worsen during active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as it was not shown during service and did not manifest within one year of separation. The claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is therefore denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected Meniere's disease with hearing loss and the propriety of a reduction in disability evaluation. The case has been remanded to ensure all notification and development actions required by the VCAA are met.

The VA determined that the veteran's current 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is not sufficient, and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence that would support a grant of service connection.

The veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since March 2001, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no persuasive medical nexus evidence to support these conditions during his military service.

The RO denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection with an initial noncompensable evaluation for a left hand injury. The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 22, 2001 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a testicular injury are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.