Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at the level of 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating beyond 50 percent has been denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure, thus granting service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year thereafter, and the VA examiner opined that the current bilateral hearing disorder was less likely caused by military exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The Court has ordered a remand to provide an additional VA examination, specifically addressing the National Guard service period.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration due to procedural issues. The claims are related to service connection for the cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, hearing loss, or chronic skin infections attributable to military service. The veteran's diabetes mellitus is adequately controlled with medication and diet. His peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities is mild to moderate.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,His refractive error, hyperopia, and presbyopia were determined to be congenital or developmental defects and thus not service-connected.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected hearing loss disability and denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10% for tinnitus. The maximum rating available under VA regulations is already assigned.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hepatitis B, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the medical records.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in May 1984 due to lack of evidence. The RO continued this denial in May 1984, and the veteran did not file a notice of disagreement or appeal. As such, the May 1984 decision became final. In August 2004, the veteran requested reopening his claim for service connection based on new evidence (a medical record from Dr. Gallagher). The RO denied this request as the claim was previously adjudicated and is now considered final.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected retinopathy and bilateral hearing loss, as both conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent or compensable under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria for these conditions. The Board also noted conflicting opinions regarding a possible nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, reduction of his prostate cancer disability rating from 100% to 40%, and reopening of a service connection claim for low back disorder with sciatica. The veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or reopening of the claim.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 50 percent.