Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss due to new evidence. The right foot condition is not considered service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking it to service. Service connection for PTSD remains with a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and gunshot wound to the left index finger. The ratings assigned are 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, 10 percent for PTSD, and a compensable rating (at least 1%) for the gunshot wound residuals.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss since June 21, 2002.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected chronic otitis media with bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any other incident of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as they were first manifested many years after service and are more likely due to post-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable disability evaluation criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to assess his hearing loss, dental condition, and hernia issues.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder are related to his service due to exposure to noise and repetitive stress while serving aboard a submarine. Service connection is granted for all four conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headache disability is rated at 50% disabling, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The claim for bilateral knee disability was reopened based on new evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his hearing impairment is currently rated at zero percent.

The Board found that there is no current hearing loss disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The left ankle issue remains pending as it has not been addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that there is no etiological relationship between the veteran's active duty and his current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, thus denying service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The case will be reviewed based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for perforated right and left ear drums, as well as hearing loss in the right ear. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation which is sedentary in nature. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for the appellant's service-connected psychoneurosis/anxiety state.,Service connection was not granted for hearing loss and tinnitus.