Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and dermatitis. The claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fractured nasal bone was also denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development, including consideration of a November 2001 audiometric examination report.

The veteran's appeal is for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied and request all pertinent medical records from the veteran's providers. They should also schedule VA orthopedic, audiological, and special audio examinations to determine the nature and current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a VA audiology examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim. The February 1981 denial of the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for loss of vision was final, and since then no new and material evidence has been received.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 60 percent, which is the maximum available under current regulations.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and granted service connection for it, along with his hearing loss. The decision also noted that the veteran had noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal and thus no longer has standing to pursue this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for a VA examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of tinnitus.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a condition characterized by headaches, shakes and dizziness. The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to these symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors. The claim for a forehead scar as residual of shell fragment wound was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss of the left ear due to inconsistent responses during audiometric testing, making it impossible to determine his current level of hearing impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during wartime service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case will now be evaluated in light of all the evidence, including VA medical records and the veteran's statements regarding noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was aggravated during service due to noise exposure, and granted service connection for this condition.