Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's current skin disorders, including basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, are not related to his reported severe sunburns during service. However, the VA examiner concluded that the veteran's hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure while serving as an air policeman in the Air Force.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disorder related to the veteran's claimed scarlet fever, and thus denied service connection for residuals of scarlet fever. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted in September 2005.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or for years thereafter, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is addressed separately.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his otitis media and externa are not.

The Board has ordered the RO to reconcile audiometric test results from different examinations and request a medical opinion. The case will be returned for further review after this development.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for further development of the record, including obtaining his complete service medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's disease, emphysema, and asthma. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her time in service or due to asbestos exposure.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability under VA standards, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded it to the RO for further development. The PCT claim is also being remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verification of periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training, obtaining legible copies of service medical records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA audiological examination to determine if current bilateral hearing loss is causally related to service, including noise exposure during service. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claims for service connection for chloracne and neuropathy of the upper extremities as a result of exposure to Agent Orange were also denied due to lack of evidence showing onset within one year of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss must be denied due to lack of objective evidence of hearing loss during service or for many years thereafter, and the uncontradicted medical opinion from the VA examiner who opined that it is not likely that the veteran's hearing difficulties were precipitated by military noise exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim for service connection. The hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.