Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for a disability manifested by loss of equilibrium, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for an audiological examination and further review of his case.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hemorrhoids did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The right ear hearing loss was not related to military service, nor were the back or neck conditions.

The Board has determined that additional notice and development are necessary prior to adjudication of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic low back disability, variously diagnosed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, his claim of service connection for this condition is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his inservice noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to render him unemployable.

The Board denied entitlement to higher initial ratings for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's left ear hearing loss was found not at a level of severity warranting a compensable schedular evaluation, while the issues of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma, specifically his time as a World War II combat anti-tank gunner. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to her military service, including noise exposure.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as defective hearing of the left ear, does not warrant a higher disability rating than the current 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of a disease or injury in service, and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a dislocated left long (middle) finger have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, blepharitis, and hypertension. The initial evaluation of the service-connected PTSD was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus (due to Agent Orange exposure), and hypertension. The appeals are all denied.