Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted effective dates earlier than April 24, 2003 for service connection of residuals of frostbite to the hands and bilateral hearing loss based on CUE. Tinnitus was also granted an effective date prior to April 24, 2003 based on CUE.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and PTSD have been denied. The RO has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss or an increased evaluation for his cervical spine disability or PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not due to any incident or event in active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not pre-exist service, but were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability for either condition.

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

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD, and his flat feet, Bell's palsy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, migraine headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO denied the claim on the basis that his hearing acuity was normal at the time of his separation from service. The Board finds a need for a VA medical examination to determine if current hearing loss is causally related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is causally related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no in-service noise exposure or diagnosis of these conditions. The Board denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have malaria related to service and his bilateral hearing loss is not attributable to service or can be presumed due to noise exposure. The claims for both conditions are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. No compensable evaluation was granted for migraine headaches, and no new evidence of a chronic condition related to his military service was found for other conditions such as viral syndrome/viral gastritis, lymphadenopathy and swollen glands, chest disability, stress, emotional problems, rashes (presumably due to asbestos exposure), dehydration, urinary trouble, blurred vision, breathing trouble (presumably due to asbestos exposure), or hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting a VA audiology examination. The appellant's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after these actions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's low back disorder, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected. The initial disability ratings for PTSD (30%), bilateral hearing loss (0%), and diabetes mellitus (20%) have been denied.