Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and legal errors in previous decisions. The appellant's service connection claims for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and head injury residuals.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service events, and whether it is congenital or developmental.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on current medical evidence.

The veteran's initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to be reopened. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability recognized as a VA hearing loss condition.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and bilateral cataracts, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, including hearing loss and vertigo. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine the nature and etiology of any such disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service. The veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected and granted a rating of 10 percent. The veteran's keratitis sicca, characterized by decreased tear production in each eye due to a history of diesel fuel splashing during active service, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6009 for chronic form of keratitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO previously denied these claims in October 1990, but did not receive an appeal from the veteran.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as these conditions are already at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, which was previously denied in September 1990. The veteran's testimony during a May 2003 RO hearing provided additional information about his military service and current health condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current bilateral hearing disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an adjustment disorder with anxious features are being reviewed.

The veteran's appeals for increased disability rating and earlier effective date for tinnitus were dismissed due to failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective August 18, 2000.