Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable from June 20, 2000 to June 16, 2006 and as 40 percent disabling effective June 17, 2006. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis B and C, hearing loss of the left ear, tinnitus, increased rating for left varicocele, and increased rating for right inguinal hernia scar.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, basal cell carcinoma, and cardiac disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient notice and development, including informing the veteran of what evidence is needed to reopen his claims.

The Board found that current right ear sensorineural hearing loss was not present during active duty or for many years afterwards and is not etiologically related to service. The claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was denied as there were no verified stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, tinnitus, or bilateral varicose veins that were incurred in service. The evidence is mixed with respect to whether any current conditions are related to service, but the preponderance of the evidence weighs against finding that they were incurred during service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been granted a noncompensable rating, and the issue of increased rating for this condition is also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to address his PTSD, tinea pedis, and hearing loss.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue remains denied.,Service connection is granted for residuals of acute epididymitis and PTSD. The lung disability claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and providing notice of the type of evidence needed to establish a disability rating and an effective date in the event that service connection is granted or benefits are awarded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including PTSD verification and examination for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and memory loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right tympanic membrane perforation as they were not warranted under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of teeth and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not meet the schedular requirements for a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inability to transcribe a hearing tape, and they request another personal hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.