Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and right knee disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on service connection issues and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The VA has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied, but his bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased rating to 50%. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether there is a direct causal relationship between the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and any noise exposure during service. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss resulting from in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease is not well grounded, and thus denied.,The Board also found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is not well grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral eye disability, elevated cholesterol, tuberculosis, right foot and ankle disabilities, and postoperative deviated nasal septum have been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for arthritis of the right wrist.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during his time as a jet engine mechanic. The claims for both conditions have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin rash. The evidence submitted since the last denial was not considered new or material to these claims.

The VA Regional Office denied the appellant's claim for a temporary total rating due to her hospitalization from October 30, 1996, to November 21, 1996, as it was not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the appellant's claims for service connection for otitis media, a heart condition, and hearing loss are not well-grounded. There is no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for residual scars from removal of cysts, headaches, sinusitis, and bronchitis are denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing impairment does not warrant an increased evaluation, as his current disability level is at Level I and no other provisions of the rating schedule apply.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claim as it is no longer relevant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent rating, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, headaches, and stomach disorder due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is denied as the earliest date permitted by law under the circumstances of this case is March 16, 1998.