Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and residuals, right ankle fracture. The case has been remanded to allow additional development.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, and further evaluation is needed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and frostbite injuries to the hands and feet are being remanded due to incomplete development of his records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to military noise exposure during service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as non-compensably disabling (zero percent), and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and additional development is required, including a VA audiometry examination.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a need for additional medical records. The veteran is requested to undergo VA audio examinations to determine the current nature and likely etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus found.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining audiogram results and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of service as an offset pressman.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus within the first year after discharge, and the VA examiner's opinion was that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU or DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, as he was never rated at 60% disability combined and had no continuous total rating prior to death.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss as it is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and sterility. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities in these areas.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for degenerative disc and joint disease at L4-5 was granted with an initial rating of 40 percent but not more due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for further action including obtaining records from Social Security Administration and United States Post Office, conducting a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.