Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent since March 10, 2001. His left inguinal hernia repair does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disability have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for Meniere's syndrome, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a skin disorder incurred during active duty service.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but concluded that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted as it was due to preexisting otosclerosis.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting hearing loss of the left ear was aggravated by service, but did not find any current hearing loss in his right ear.

The Board finds that the veteran's left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and BCC are related to service. However, BCC is not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure as it is not one of the diseases covered by the presumption. Service connection for chloracne is denied as there is no evidence linking it to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a higher evaluation for PTSD. The veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a fracture of the fifth digit of the right foot were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral visual acuity loss and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a current disability or injury that would warrant such connections.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus or 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the evaluation for tinnitus due to a late Substantive Appeal, and did not reach the merits of the hearing loss claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, concluding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to service. The decision is not considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the veteran no longer wishes to pursue his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability related to bilateral knee pain and effusion during service, and thus denies the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence, but it remains a direct service connection case as no presumption or other theory of service connection is applicable.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a right vestibular nerve resection due to Meniere's disease, finding that his condition produces impairment equivalent to moderate Meniere's syndrome.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to his service-connected otitis externa of the left ear.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his noise exposure during military service, establishing service connection. The claim for otitis externa was previously denied but new evidence supports reopening this claim.

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