Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, finding that the veteran's condition began during his active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending as additional VA treatment records are needed.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his military service, including any noise exposure. The VA audiologist concluded that the hearing loss was due to presbycusis (aging-related hearing loss).

The Board has determined that the veteran's dizziness, which is rated as 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 6204, does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of disability did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran does not currently have residuals of a left foot injury. Right ear hearing loss has been diagnosed and is service-connected, but the veteran's left ear hearing loss remains non-service-connected.,An initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied as it is at its highest possible level.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's ears were evaluated as normal on his separation examination, and there are no in-service findings indicative of hearing problems. His current hearing loss disability was not diagnosed until almost 15 years after separation from service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, leaving only the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and other conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss, but assigned a noncompensable disability rating. The only issue on appeal is the original compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities, and there is no evidence linking his claimed PTSD to service. As a result, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there was no evidence of current tinnitus at the time of the examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 40 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and glaucoma, finding that there was no current disability as defined by VA regulations. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that her current condition is more likely due to an upper respiratory infection in 1996 and not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing and further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and hypertension, finding that the veteran's conditions existed prior to his active duty but were aggravated during service. The other issues are remanded for further development.