Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and an increased rating for bilateral otitis media, finding that his disability most closely approximates a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6200 (chronic suppurative otitis media).

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left ear hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable due to lack of a current disability.

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

The veteran has been diagnosed with a dysthymic and depressive disorder, which is considered service-connected. He also has tinnitus that is related to his military noise exposure. However, he does not have hearing loss or PTSD as claimed.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current 20 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

Service connection is denied for the claimed conditions. Increased ratings are not granted for any of the disabilities listed.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 60 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in the right ear during service or after discharge, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensably disabling in both July 1997 and March 1999, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The VA will also review all claims, including implied claims for tinnitus and Meniere's Disease.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a skin disorder to include jungle rot, and denied service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss disability was also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The case is being returned to the RO due to incomplete service medical records and missing treatment records. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and found that an earlier effective date of August 29, 1968 is warranted for his service connection and assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for TDIU is also addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation effective September 5, 2000. The claims for low back pain and shoulder and neck disability as secondary to service-connected left arm wound were denied. Service connection for the neck disability was not addressed due to lack of evidence. PTSD claim is pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an injury to the left arm and hearing loss in the left ear, finding that these conditions are related to service. The veteran's claims for reopening his jungle rot and left knee disability claims have been remanded.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board found that the evidence did not allow for a conclusion that the veteran's hearing loss was attributable to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.