Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected right knee injury is rated at 20 percent, while his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to have been incurred in service, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The VA denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and did not address service connection for diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration disability records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his PTSD and prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that there is no current hearing loss disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran's claims are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not result from disease or injury incurred during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected vertigo is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a low back disorder. The veteran's appeal was not about service connection at all.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for scars of the mouth and upper lip remains pending due to further development needed.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any medical records indicating a connection between service and these conditions. The VA audiologist concluded that the veteran's hearing impairment is more likely due to age-related changes rather than noise exposure during service.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the requirements for these benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological examination and treatment records. The veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss disability may have been aggravated by his second period of active duty service from September 2001 to September 2002.

The veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson's disease, as due to exposure to Agent Orange, was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The veteran was not shown to have worse than level I hearing acuity in either ear, resulting in no higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a higher initial rating of 30 percent for migraines from September 1, 2003.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss disability as no such disability was shown by service medical records or on VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, which was previously denied in January 2003. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains in appellate status.

The RO granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a noncompensable (0 percent) rating, effective October 26, 2004. The veteran withdrew the appeal before a decision was made.