Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, which was already satisfied by the June 28, 2005 decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not attributable to service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's service medical records did not reflect any complaints or findings of hearing loss. The only post-service evidence of hearing loss is dated nearly 50 years after service, and the preponderance of the competent medical evidence does not support a causal link between his current hearing loss and his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's hearing loss disability is related to service, including exposure to noise during combat. The case will be returned for further action.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claim to reopen a right knee disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or a disability rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for hearing loss disability, disability manifested by accelerated heart rate and/or palpitations, or tremors.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the initial grant of service connection in October 2004. The VA audiological examination showed Level I hearing acuity in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to lack of an issue in controversy.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from SSA and Workers' Compensation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim is granted on the merits, with the Board finding that a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss was incurred in military service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and seek an opinion from a qualified medical professional regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.,There is no competent evidence of current active hepatitis B or residuals of any hepatitis B infection treated during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and review of medical records.

The veteran's PTSD with polysubstance abuse is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss with ringing in the ears is likely related to his service, specifically his in-service meningitis. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation at any time during the appeal period.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the July 2003 VA audiological examination.