Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied and not reopened. The Board found that his current back condition did not manifest during or within one year after service, and is not related to his service. His skin disorder claim remains pending as VA records are still being sought.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal for his claims of service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as he submitted his VA Form 9 more than 60 days after receiving the Statement of the Case (SOC).

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but he is seeking an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating as of May 14, 2004.

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

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be incurred in service, with the preponderance of evidence favoring his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right ear hearing loss, finding that it is likely due to noise exposure during active service. The issue of a compensable initial evaluation for his left ear hearing loss disability remains pending and may be considered on remand.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or a heart disability that is attributable to service. The VA audiologist opined that it was not likely that his hearing difficulties were precipitated by military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran not responding to a scheduling letter, and the case will be returned for further action.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability related to his military service.

Service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, including loud noise exposure during his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and original disability ratings in several cases, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with bipolar disorder, right knee tendonitis, lumbar strain, acne vulgaris, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current left ear disability is related to his in-service treatment for chronic left ear otitis media with an attic retraction and cholesteatoma. The examiner will be asked to provide a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, recurrent kidney stones, and degenerative joint disease of the knees as these conditions were not shown to be related to service or any inservice disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disability, finding that there was no current evidence of hearing loss or significant limitation of motion. The initial rating assigned for the left ankle disability is upheld.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and that there is no evidence of a diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and to reopen his claim for stomach disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions, leading to denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent evaluation since November 1998, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are found to be due to noise exposure during his military service. The other issues on appeal have been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision concluded that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.