Hearing loss Board decisions

The RO denied an initial noncompensable rating for hearing loss of the right ear following its grant of service connection.

The Board found no evidence of malaria during service or post-service, and the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not linked to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 27, 2001 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial (compensable) evaluation on bilateral hearing loss was granted by the RO, but it is unclear if this decision affects a previously denied service connection claim or is a new determination.

The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the veteran's bilateral hearing loss to warrant a reduction from a 10% disability evaluation to noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to active service. Therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The veteran withdrew his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80 percent, with at least 40 percent of the disabilities pertaining to orthopedic issues. Medical opinions indicate he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to the veteran's in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bladder cancer is also granted based on the opinion of a private physician who linked the condition to inservice radiation and chemical exposure.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current non-compensable rating was appropriate based on audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining an opinion from a VA audiologist and transferring the claims folder to the Chief of the Audiology-Speech Pathology Clinic at VAMC in Little Rock.

The Board has determined that the RO committed error in denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss at the time of the February 1955 rating decision. The effective date will be the date of receipt of claim or date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist, do not warrant higher disability ratings. The veteran's tinnitus was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 10, 2003, but no higher rating is warranted from that date forward. The veteran's right thumb fracture and bilateral Eustachian tube dysfunction are each rated at the minimum of 0 percent. The veteran's post-operative pilonidal cyst, right leg, and torn medial meniscus, right knee, are also rated at the minimum of 10 percent.