Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting that the veteran did not have a history of hearing loss during service or at any time thereafter.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not due to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied both claims, finding that there was no evidence of hearing loss during service and insufficient evidence to establish a connection between current hearing impairment and service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including right knee arthritis, left knee disability, pulmonary disability (bronchitis and asthma), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee condition and bilateral finger condition as they are as likely as not related to service. The veteran's post-service medical records provide evidence in support of these claims.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet was reopened, but the issue remains in appellate status due to a mixed disposition.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the case is still pending an increased rating.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including HIV-related illness, hammertoes of the left foot, hypertension, GERD, hearing loss, eczema, hordeolum (eye condition), herpes (HSV-2), and condyloma. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of a punctured ear drum or left ear hearing loss in service, and the appellant's statements were not credible. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's service-connected back disabilities do not render him unemployable as he is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for scaphoid fracture with deQuervain's tenosynovitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or sufficient functional impairment to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim for an increased rating for torticollis is addressed in the remand section.

The veteran's hearing loss was found to be at Level I in both ears, qualifying for a noncompensable evaluation. The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with conflicting medical opinions regarding the exact cause. The veteran's hearing loss is considered not atypical for someone exposed to high noise levels during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer with chronic hiatal hernia contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no objective link between his military service and these conditions.