Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, broken nose, back disorder, and left leg disorder are all denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the fifth finger of the left hand remains pending.,Service connection was granted for a noncompensable rating for residuals of fracture of the fifth finger of the left hand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a mouth injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to confirm any verified in-service stressors and to determine if the veteran's current PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus has been denied. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not attributable to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left wrist arthritis and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to military service. The RO must arrange for a VA examination and obtain additional information from the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and thus service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The VA audiological examination in November 2003 linked the veteran's current hearing loss disability and tinnitus to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear disorder(s) did not have its onset during service or for many years thereafter and is not related to his service, thus denying his claim of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss as secondary to the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds to the left foot and ankle. The right hip disability is also found to be related to the service-connected condition.