Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred during active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that the evidence did not support such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and to reopen his service connection claims for thyroid condition, heart condition, peripheral neuropathy, and dermatitis. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from various VA facilities and Georgetown University Medical Center.

The Board finds that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, with the VA audiologist concluding they are more likely age-related than noise-induced.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure during service. The evidence did not establish a link between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a shoulder disorder, an eye disorder, a tooth disorder, and a right lower extremity disability manifested by numbness. Service connection was granted for Addison's disease secondary to the veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hearing loss, liver disease, residuals of head injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, new evidence does not establish a direct link to military service.

The Board determined that the veteran's current hearing loss is unrelated to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and awarded a noncompensable initial rating for herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1. The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a stomach condition, including ulcers. The VA found that his current hearing loss is not related to service due to long-term occupational noise exposure after service, while his stomach condition was never diagnosed during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of scalp laceration. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current hearing loss meeting VA standards.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board has ordered a search for missing service medical records to determine if the veteran received treatment for hearing loss in service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria of the rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability of the left ear, headaches, or chest pain. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus resulted from disease or injury in service, warranting service connection.

The Board found no evidence of cold injury residuals or bilateral peripheral neuropathy related to service. The veteran's left leg disability is not shown to be due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining the veteran's employment status. The issues of right ear hearing loss rating, reopening a psychiatric disorder claim, and nonservice-connected pension benefits are to be reconsidered.