Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral knee disorders and right ear hearing loss disability, as well as a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and residuals of a contusion to the middle finger of the left hand due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was diagnosed with PTSD, but his claimed stressors have not been verified by JSRRC. His bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of dental trauma, finding no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of two issues: entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals, postoperative repair, extensor tendon, 4th and 5th digits, left hand with residual scars. The remaining issue is the evaluation of hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and severity of the veteran's hearing loss, as well as whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia with depression not otherwise specified and bilateral hearing loss, both of which are considered complete grants of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of cold injury to both feet, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board found no error in the RO's calculation of the veteran's combined total percentage rating and denied his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for liver disease, temporomandibular joint syndrome, or sleep apnea. The claim for increased evaluation of PTSD and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee degenerative changes with bony fragments are attributable to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the veteran's service periods. The issues of service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating for PTSD are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete records and new evidence may be relevant.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral ear disability or right hip disability, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder is remanded to the RO.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions and inconsistencies in the evidence.