Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in active service, with aggravation during service.

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 from his 1998 surgery and any related opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's atopic dermatitis warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective from when his claim was received in February 2003. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including frostbite residuals and hearing loss, do not render him unemployable due to their severity alone.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim to reopen previously denied claims. The Board also found that new evidence submitted by the veteran did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims. For the claim of service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy disorders, a VA examination was ordered due to lack of recent medical records.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10% to 0% was proper and maintained, as it did not change the veteran's combined disability evaluation. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and proper notice under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(b).

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his most severe hearing impairment is Level II in both ears. The current 0 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been productive of no more than Level I hearing acuity in both ears since the effective date of service connection. As a result, he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, but denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,New and material evidence was submitted to reopen the liver disorder claim. However, no new or material evidence was found to reopen the bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to service, and there is no relationship between his loss of balance and any service-connected disability.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his in-service exposure to radiation or acoustic trauma.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disability and his military service. The left ear hearing loss was granted but not with a compensable rating.