Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a noncompensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the DIP joint of the right middle finger.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is more likely due to age-related changes. The evidence did not establish a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is required due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not linked to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma from artillery during active duty. As a result, these conditions have been granted as being incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant an increased evaluation, while his lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss since March 27, 2001. The veteran's claim was initially denied in September 9, 1997 and then increased to 10 percent from June 10, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and failed to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the PTSD claim.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, left eye visual loss, or diminished sense of balance. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that December 29, 2000, was the appropriate effective date as it is the date of receipt of his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 50 percent evaluation, but no higher. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during his period of service and is not attributable to noise exposure during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence does not meet the requirements for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and the preponderance of the evidence is against a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his service and granted service connection. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure during active service.