Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and right knee condition as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hearing loss and service connection for a low back disorder, cervical neuropathy, and PTSD. The veteran's disability ratings remain at noncompensable levels.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The case will be reviewed again after the completion of this development.

The veteran's current hearing acuity in his right ear does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore he does not have right ear hearing loss that is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as her current hearing is not impaired for purposes of establishing a disability.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, and PTSD due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disabilities or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a low back injury. However, the evidence does not establish current disabilities as defined by VA standards.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability meeting threshold requirements. Tinnitus was not incurred in military service. Diabetes mellitus, Type II, was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's case for a VA examination to determine if his tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The veteran also appealed for an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, based on noise exposure during military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to allegations of worsening foot conditions and hearing loss, as well as the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service from 1948 to 1952, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiometric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected sinusitis, left shoulder disorder, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing VA and private treatment records, as well as authorization forms for the veteran's requested providers. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss was incurred during service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of the veteran's service medical records and a VA audiological evaluation.