Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected and denied his claim. The rating for his chronic otitis externa was remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The case is being remanded for a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a permanent increase in hearing acuity during service, and thus the presumption of aggravation did not apply. For the left shoulder disability, the VA examiner opined that the pre-existing condition likely worsened due to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD do not meet the criteria for service connection or an increased rating, respectively. The evidence does not establish a nexus between the veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating. The issue of service connection for tinnitus was remanded due to the veteran withdrawing his appeal with respect to this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of pulmonary tuberculosis, right knee and ankle disorder as secondary to a service-connected shrapnel wound injury, and hearing loss. The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence for PTB and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his most severe findings do not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a TDIU was denied. The maximum schedular evaluations are already assigned for his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus and hearing loss were denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of the assigned rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss of the left ear, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective February 12, 2002. His bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The veteran is currently receiving a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus, the maximum schedular evaluation assignable by law.

The veteran withdrew their appeal for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including consideration of a study by CNA.