Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing. The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remain unresolved.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for malaria, hepatitis, sterility, bilateral hearing loss, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, right wrist disorder, and left wrist disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year post-service, and the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to military noise exposure. For the left ear, while audiometric testing showed a hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, the Board found no evidence of current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service, were not first manifest within one year of separation from service, and are not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The noncompensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is upheld, as the evidence does not indicate a more severe impairment than what was previously established. The scar on the left index finger also warrants a noncompensable rating due to its superficial nature and lack of significant functional impact. Service connection for numbness of three fingers on the left hand cannot be granted as there is no competent medical evidence indicating such a condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss is more likely due to occupational noise exposure rather than military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus that is causally related to his military service and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The claim for tinnitus was granted but with a maximum rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hearing loss and granted it, finding that the evidence supports a direct relationship between the veteran's military service as a cannon gunner and his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is attributed to noise exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating.

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

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO has ordered a remand due to the need for a new VA medical examination and additional notification requirements.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete records, including missing Reserve service medical records. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and schedule the veteran for an audiological examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss (claimed as bilateral hearing condition).

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.