Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while the residuals of a fractured right foot, presbyopia of the right eye, and electrolyte imbalance were not found to be related to service or meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's statements regarding combat exposure are consistent with his service record. The claims for residuals of a head injury and back injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, which was previously denied in August 1998. As a result, the claim is now reopened.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is attributable to service, and the Board has determined that it was incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, assigning a 10 percent evaluation in each case. The RO found that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 10 percent under the applicable rating schedule, and similarly, there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other basis to warrant a higher evaluation. For his tinnitus, the VA has also denied the claim, as it did not find any evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment that would allow for a separate evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, assigning a 10 percent rating effective from May 23, 2002. The veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's skin condition (tinea versicolor). The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, seizure disorder, and a higher rating for the skin condition are still pending.

The veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level III, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the veteran's skin disability (diagnosed as eczema) was incurred during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increase in rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and provide additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tympanic membrane perforation, finding that he was not entitled to a compensable rating at any time during the period in question.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of right hand, knee, hip, nose injury, and hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is required with regard to the veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for obstructive lung disease. Accordingly, this claim is the subject of a remand at the end of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for anemia, kidney disease, headaches, sinusitis, a stomach condition, and right-sided hearing loss. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of substantial evidence.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for hepatitis was reopened on new evidence, but the other conditions are not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and chronic bilateral tinnitus, but remanded the issue of right ear hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of reopening the previously denied claims for Meniere's disease and a back disorder are remanded to the RO.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, as his symptoms were consistent with a mild disability.,The veteran's claim to reopen the hearing loss disability claim was granted due to new and material evidence submitted.

The Board found that the appellant's current sensorineural hearing loss, right ear did not manifest within one year of separation from service and was not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.