Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active service, including noise exposure during World War II.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee tendinosis, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and major depression were denied. The RO found that the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus had been granted, and there was no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current condition is likely related to his in-service ear pathology. The claim of bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran's varicose veins of the right leg were incurred in service and are granted service connection.

The veteran's hypertension was not service-connected, and his PTSD, tinnitus, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and face shrapnel wound were all denied increased ratings.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for memory loss and fatigue, as well as increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left wrist disability.,Right ear hearing loss was not shown in the veteran's service records or within one year of discharge. The VA audiologist found normal right ear hearing throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and has granted a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury. The veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine are considered, along with his reported in-service injuries, leading to a finding of service connection for these conditions. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma experienced during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for chronic joint pain and a higher disability rating for hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction disorder and hearing loss in the right ear, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,The veteran's claim was not supported by competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied by the Board. The maximum schedular disability rating of 10 percent is assigned for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and clarification of the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is also pending secondary service connection claim due to tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA audiological examination, and addressing whether his current hearing loss is related to his service as a combat infantryman.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and frostbite residuals were denied as there was no current disability found to be related to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition. Hearing loss is not shown to be related to service.