Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the currently assigned noncompensable rating was appropriate based on audiometric test results.

The veteran's Meniere's Syndrome with associated hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness is rated at a 60 percent disability rating effective April 9, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, vision loss, and arteriosclerosis due to tobacco use. The decision found that new and material evidence was not submitted sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically his noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The low back disorder to include arthritis is also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the disability and service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher noncompensable rating based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is manifested by social impairment with symptoms such as irritability, sleep disturbances, avoidant behavior, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. The evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and malaria have been denied as there is no evidence of a compensable level of disability for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in May 1999. The reopening of the claim allows consideration on its merits.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of disability does not warrant such a rating based on recent audiometric test results.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including right knee degenerative arthritis, cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative joint disease, tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and alcohol dependence, do not render him unemployable due to his back and neck problems. His combined evaluation is 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent schedular evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no increase in severity of his service-connected condition occurred prior to September 24, 1998.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remain denied, and the appeal is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence presented. The appeal is granted on this basis.

The VA determined that the veteran's left ear high frequency hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.