Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and his thyroid condition due to radiation exposure is not a radiogenic disease. Service connection for these conditions was denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear due to new and material evidence, but it is not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current hearing loss and military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiologic examination.

The veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 29, 2001 and 2000 for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence that the veteran filed an earlier claim within one year of his separation from military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, arthritis, heart disability, PTSD, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and thus the claim for an initial compensable evaluation is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, finding that there is no legal merit to these claims given the current rating criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating beyond the noncompensable level.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss of the right ear is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel board hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence provided by the veteran.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and it is not presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore, he is entitled to service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in both ears was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied service connection for hearing loss.

The veteran disagrees with the severance of service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, as well as the assigned rating. The case is being remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.