Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection claims and reopening of a previously denied PTSD claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lower back shrapnel fragments, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss was denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for each condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of new and material evidence for his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no new evidence to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by a lack of in-service complaints or findings, normal hearing at separation, and no medical opinion linking these conditions to service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms are related to his combat service in Korea. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to outstanding medical evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability were denied as there was no evidence of a compensable rating or combined rating in excess of 20 percent, respectively.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no medical evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The veteran seeks a higher initial rating for his service-connected hearing loss. The RO granted service connection but did not assign any compensation due to the noncompensable rating. The case is being remanded because the VA audiometric examination results are unclear and need to be re-evaluated.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development of evidence, including a need for VA examinations to confirm current diagnoses and determine if they are related to service.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and mastoiditis of the right ear were not substantiated by the evidence provided.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and residuals of post-service left knee injury with anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery were all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service. The veteran's complaints of hearing loss and tinnitus began many years after his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or within one year of separation, and are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and to obtain additional treatment records. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is also inextricably intertwined with the left ear hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no credible evidence to support the assertions made by the veteran regarding in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms after service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled Travel Board hearings. The case will be returned to the Board after he provides updated contact information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim for service connection. The bilateral hearing loss claim is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding its etiology.