Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes due to bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right leg disorder. The VA found that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable disability rating, and his right leg disorder was not linked to his military service.

The veteran's original claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was filed more than one year after his discharge from active duty, which prevents an earlier effective date. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active service, including exposure to noise during combat operations in Korea. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder. The claim for PTSD was reopened but ultimately denied on the merits due to lack of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for hearing loss or a low back condition, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition with radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service or within the first post-service year, and concluded that there is no causal relationship between the veteran's service or any incident of service and his current bilateral hearing loss disability. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the original claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Lyme disease, and obstructive airway disease/shortness of breath due to an undiagnosed illness. The left elbow scar was not found to be compensable under either old or new VA rating criteria. Hearing loss disability was also not established as a current condition.

The veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to military service.,PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found the veteran did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.,Retinal floaters, headaches, memory loss, and cognitive impairment are not attributable to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims. The Board also found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability or link to service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that a VA audiological examination and opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of her hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral recurrent ear infections and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 30 percent evaluation prior to July 23, 2003 and no greater than 30 percent beginning on July 23, 2003. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, alleging exposure to noise during military service. The case is remanded due to the need for a VA nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.