Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military noise exposure. As such, the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, and right ear hearing loss. However, these claims were denied on the merits.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent, his tinea manum and pedis with onychomycosis was also rated at 10 percent, and his claim to reopen a claim for degenerative disc disease was not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no competent evidence of in-service noise exposure or service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and enucleation of the right eye were denied. The maximum schedular evaluation (10%) is already assigned for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claims for separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied as the criteria do not allow for such evaluations.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD due to lack of a verified inservice stressor.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and did not assign a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service noise exposure. The veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The veteran is required to provide any evidence in his possession that pertains to his claim, including information about effective dates and disability ratings.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during active military service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The VA denied compensation for additional disability resulting from the removal of an acoustic neuroma due to lack of fault or negligence on the part of VA in providing medical care.

The veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for neck and esophageal disabilities resulting from medical treatment in December 1997, finding that there was no evidence of fault or negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including requesting a response from the veteran's private audiologist regarding his opinion on the relationship between the veteran's hearing disability and military service. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board denied service connection for exophoria and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions. The issue of reopening a claim for peripheral neuropathy as a residual of a skull fracture was remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, finding that there is no objective link between his military service and his current condition.