Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing acuity during the appeal period did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for cervical spine and left elbow disabilities were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of cervical spine and left elbow disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The veteran's hearing loss was found to meet VA criteria for a disability, but his claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension and service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or reasonable possibility of a favorable VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and need for medical examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and jungle rot. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or manifestation of these conditions within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis, and presbyopia are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right hip bursitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.,No new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for right hip bursitis is not warranted as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the issue of increased rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic right ear infection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur hearing loss and tinnitus in service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran is seeking a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated VA audiological evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and the loss of two left fingers were granted. The claim for residuals of a burn on the neck remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to establish exposure or causation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a stomach disability (secondary to PTSD), a back disorder, headaches, a skin disability of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 30, 2003 for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and TDIU were denied as there was no earlier claim received.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development of his claims, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the current appeal, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.