Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current neuropsychiatry condition, right knee condition, low back condition, onychomiscosis, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The veteran's psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are currently rated at 0 percent, while his epidermal cyst is also rated at 0 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during his military service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA healthcare system was denied due to his category 8 placement and lack of a pending claim for service connection that could change his priority status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner opined that it was not as likely as not that hearing loss occurred during or as a result of military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on the provided audiometric test results.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus the severance of this condition from the veteran's record is proper. The claim of service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his audiometric results showed moderate to moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a personal hearing before a member of the Board at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, fracture of the right wrist with secondary neuropathy, residuals of a fractured left mandible and maxilla with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and facial scars, do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The combined rating is 80 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection, including seeking additional service medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The veteran's service connection claims for bacterial infection with diarrhea, parasitic infection with diarrhea, and typhus infection with diarrhea were denied. The veteran was granted initial compensable ratings for DJD of the cervical spine C5/6 and C6/7 prior to May 20, 2004 (10%), and DJD of the lumbar spine (10%) since May 20, 2004. No other service connection claims were granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and changes in procedural requirements. The veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and left fibula fracture residuals will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The veteran is seeking higher ratings for his PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He also seeks service connection for bilateral leg nodules, a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and sleep apnea.,The veteran is seeking an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his gastroesophageal reflux disease. He also seeks service connection for a respiratory condition secondary to chlorine gas exposure.,The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. He also seeks service connection for bilateral leg nodules, a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and sleep apnea.,The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral leg nodules, a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and sleep apnea. He also seeks service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.,The veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than April 9, 2005, for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure. He also seeks service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.,The veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea. He also seeks service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) on the initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for otitis media is denied.

The RO denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to establish a link between the condition and service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial rating, as his hearing acuity levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable VA regulations.