Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and other applicable laws, regulations, and case law.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted it. The veteran is now entitled to a disability rating based on this condition.,The veteran's hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran did not have tinnitus during service or now, and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his audiometric results did not warrant any higher evaluation based on the current schedular criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran has any current left ear hearing loss, left knee condition, tinnitus, left hip condition, or left shoulder and arm condition that are related to service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of current disabilities within one year post-service or a nexus between service and these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection. The low back pain issue remains pending as the SSA records have not been obtained.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral skin disorder of the hands, and degenerative arthritis of the back were denied. The evidence did not support a finding that any current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete Statement of the Case, which did not address a May 2004 VA medical exam and associated records. The claim will be evaluated again with consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the additional evidence received since January 2002 does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media of the left ear. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, and low back condition. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and the conditions are not considered related to his military service.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently manifested by a pure tone threshold average of 60, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation under the rating schedule. The Board denied an increased (compensable) evaluation for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The cause of death was listed as cerebrovascular accident, but there is no evidence linking this condition to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, degenerative joint disease of the knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for a VA opinion regarding his respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed, including medical records from the Naval base at Port Hueneme and VA examinations for hearing loss, psychiatric conditions, and left ankle disability. The case will be remanded to allow these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to evaluate the veteran's hearing loss and service-connected melanoma scar.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.