Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or PTSD during service, and the veteran did not engage in combat. The VA examiner could not determine if current bilateral hearing loss or PTSD is related to service without resorting to speculation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new evidence submitted since the final denial supports a finding of service connection. However, the Board also finds that the current hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to July 23, 2004. The evidence did not support higher ratings for PTSD or a finding of unemployability due solely to service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensable prior to November 10, 2003. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent since that date is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but has granted service connection for tinnitus due to continuity of symptoms since military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or higher disability ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, COPD, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded both issues on appeal for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or an acquired psychiatric disorder that is causally related to the veteran's military service.,VA records show treatment for various injuries over many years post-service, including DJD of the right knee and recurrent depression attributed to pain from previous injuries.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's currently diagnosed hearing loss is etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and cardiovascular condition due to lack of new and material evidence for the psychiatric claim, absence of evidence linking these conditions to service, and no evidence showing that the cardiovascular condition is related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded for further development, and the claims for residuals of left leg injury, PTSD, and tinnitus are also being remanded. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues have been addressed.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of June 28, 2001 is warranted for the award of NSC pension due to the existence of disabling conditions at that time.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a disability manifested by flat feet related to service. The claims for increased ratings are also denied.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss at separation and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For the left hip disability, the Board determined that there was no relationship between the current condition and military service.

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