Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and medical opinions regarding the veteran's hearing loss in both ears, as well as his tinnitus. The claims will be re-adjudicated following this process.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service. The VA audiology examination indicated current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus but did not establish a link to service.,Service connection could not be granted as the veteran's hearing and ear condition were normal at service discharge and there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss and tinnitus to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and his other conditions are not considered to be related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the hearing loss claim and that there was no evidence linking the current tinnitus condition to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current diagnoses are due to noise-induced trauma sustained during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a travel Board hearing and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestosis disability, specifically interstitial lung disease, was incurred in active duty service. The veteran's idiopathic thrombocarpnia purpura (ITP) and bilateral hearing loss disability were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the veteran's hearing loss during his reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The veteran's claims for these conditions are supported by medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to in-service stressors and noise exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition has been reopened. However, his claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss have been denied as there is no legal basis to assign separate ratings for each ear for tinnitus or increase the disability rating for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus had an onset during service and is related to noise exposure, granting service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and an increased (compensable) evaluation for erectile dysfunction. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II is granted with a 20 percent rating prior to May 2, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating, and his tinnitus is already at its maximum schedular evaluation. Therefore, both claims are denied.