Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the VA examination did not establish a link between current hearing problems and military service. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and skin disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for a lumbosacral spine disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been presented since the prior denial. The claim for a left leg disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating during any portion of the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is currently on hold while additional evidence is gathered.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA outpatient treatment records and a September 1999 report of VA examination, the Board determined there is no current disability of the right ear. Therefore, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected hearing loss of the right ear, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not attributable to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, as there is no competent evidence of current hearing loss or a nexus between such hearing loss and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did it manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that the veteran's hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not establish a link between his current hearing loss and his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The effective date of the grant of service connection for DM was not addressed.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence. The appeal is currently on hold and will be reassigned to a different VLJ if necessary.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including clinical records from his inpatient treatment at Fort Sill Army Hospital during active duty.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's otitis externa, which is currently in remission. The condition requires frequent and prolonged treatment with symptoms including itching, flaking, scaling, redness of both ears, and white flaky substance.

The VA has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective September 21, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran does not have right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his own abilities and the lack of available jobs, despite his qualifications.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a further duty to assist in developing evidence.