Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased evaluations for lower motor neuron dysfunction at C8-T1 involving both upper extremities. The VA examinations did not support a link between the current hearing loss or nerve disorders and military service.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 30 percent effective August 7, 2003. Service connection for nerve damage and right knee disability was granted.

The RO has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and hearing loss in the left ear, but denied all other issues on appeal. The case is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, warranting service connection. The right toe fungus, bilateral arthritis of the knees, and floaters of the eyes were not found to be directly related to service.

The VA denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and coronary artery disease have been denied. The VA has assigned a 20% rating for diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has determined that an effective date of January 23, 2002 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. This decision applies to all future payments related to this benefit.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not render him or the average person similarly situated unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability. The reopened claim will be remanded for further necessary development.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is a direct result of his in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and major depressive disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the conditions began during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The hearing loss claim was not adjudicated as it requires additional development.