Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss, balance issues, and tinnitus did not begin during service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease with lumbar myositis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals for PTSD and depressive disorder were also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pinched nerve, foot disorder, arthritis of the spine as secondary to a foot disorder, skin disorder, and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the extent and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as it only results in Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, including any noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective from April 22, 1999. The issue of separate 10 percent ratings for each ear for the service-connected bilateral tinnitus is remanded to the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of current disabilities due to in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's service connection claims for impaired vision, hearing loss, asthma, and headaches have been granted. The initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected headaches has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals from an acoustic neuroma are related to his service as a radio repairman, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a current disability or sufficient medical support to grant any of the requested benefits.

The Board has decided that further development of the evidence is required, and thus the case is being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied by operation of law due to lack of current disability, while the PTSD claim remains at a 50% evaluation.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence suggesting the veteran's bilateral hearing loss originated in service or was otherwise causally related to his military service, including to acoustic trauma. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded. Additionally, his claims for service connection of right ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.