Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and thus, basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, right hip injury, back injury, allergies and sinus problems, and joint pains and arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, an increased rating for hearing loss of the left ear, and an increased rating for left leg muscle strains. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from June 28, 2004 to the present is denied as his objective audiological evidence demonstrates a slight increase in severity but remains insufficient to support a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee, hip, ankle disorders are not related to service and denied these claims. The veteran's claim for residuals of fracture of the left hand is also denied.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition or stressor related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and there is no competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's right ear hearing loss, as it is unclear whether there was an increase in severity during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence connecting these conditions to his time in military service.

The veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO assigned an initial 30 percent rating for PTSD retroactively effective from February 27, 2004, and a noncompensable (0%) rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a noncompensable evaluation, as his current hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.