Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for varicose veins of the left leg and hearing loss in the left ear, finding that the evidence did not support a rating above the current 60 percent for varicose veins or any compensable evaluation for the left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the Board found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for tinnitus, which is considered a direct result of active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo and a compensable evaluation for hearing loss. The claim for a higher evaluation of tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disability or psychiatric disorder related to his active service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. Service connection for PTSD is also granted, with some doubt in the diagnosis but favoring a positive finding.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his increased rating claims for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, concluding that they are more likely due to post-service factors and aging. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an award.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss does not result in Level X or higher hearing acuity, and thus, a compensable rating is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have impaired hearing as defined by VA, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental disorder for VA treatment purposes due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a head injury and hearing loss, both claimed to be related to combat exposure. The Board finds the claims are consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service due to presumed combat-related injuries.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and hemorrhoid disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for headaches, neck pain, and stress and emotional problems secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss were granted. However, the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is stayed pending appeal, and the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of multiple joints, and a skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.