Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for chronic otitis media with mastoidectomy and hearing loss of left ear, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and other relevant documents. The veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is on hold until all necessary steps are taken to reconstruct his claims file.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck injury, and headaches. Service connection for the neck injury is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions, and there is no evidence to support a connection between service and these disorders. As such, the claims are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various foot disorders, headaches, hearing loss, gallbladder disease, and pancreatitis were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and right hip disability. The veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood was rated at 30 percent, effective from May 2005. TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 60 percent for his cervical spine condition and for entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support an increased rating or TDIU determination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for verification of his Reserve service and additional medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, left knee disorder, flat feet, lung disorder, skin disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO's decisions were based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins in both legs, a back disorder, a seizure disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's skin condition of the face is not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of verified stressor events and no evidence of diagnosed PTSD.

The Board has found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to post-service noise exposure. However, the case is being remanded for an additional VA medical examination to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral wrist, ankle, knee (arthritis), hand (arthritis), and hearing loss disabilities, as well as her residuals of left ear tympanoplasty, all claimed to be related to a repelling accident during active duty for training in May 1995.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.

The veteran's appeal was withdrawn in December 2005, resulting in a complete grant of the benefit sought (a 10% extraschedular evaluation for bilateral hearing loss).

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion and to consider all evidence of record, including VA medical records from 1951. The veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being reconsidered.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatic heart disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus and granted it. The veteran served in Vietnam with noise exposure from artillery, leading to current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition in either ear. The VA examination did not confirm any pre-existing hearing loss prior to service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development of medical records and employment history.