Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for bilateral ear pain. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a loss in documented hearing acuity to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally linked to noise exposure during active duty and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss and failed to reopen his claim for service connection for lead in the blood due to lack of new and material evidence. The RO has already assigned a non-compensable rating (30%) for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hearing loss related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss or low back and right knee disabilities incurred during active duty.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is a result of exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not contribute substantially or materially to his death due to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by coronary heart disease and hypertension. The evidence does not establish a direct link between the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and his cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability as defined in VA regulations and therefore, service connection for hearing loss cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in June 1984. The veteran presented testimony indicating that his pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity did not exceed Level II in either ear.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for temporomandibular joint dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The right ear hearing loss prior to March 9, 2000 was not rated as compensable, while the bilateral hearing loss from that date was also not rated above a noncompensable level.

The veteran's combined rating is 70%, but his disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection will be addressed in a separate decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral otosclerosis, postoperative, with hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right ear hearing loss, effective from April 17, 1998. The evidence shows that the veteran currently has profound sensorineural hearing loss in his right ear and normal hearing in his left ear.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.