Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new audiogram conducted in compliance with VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and a need for further medical examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and for a TDIU award due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. The veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, but not due to unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence for PTSD and failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and an incomplete VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after obtaining these records and conducting a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left eye corneal scar, effective from the date of the decision. The hearing loss issue was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of residuals of right knee injury will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's appeal involves the reduction of his disability ratings for service-connected hearing loss. The RO has reduced the rating from 30 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2004 and then increased it to 10 percent effective February 18, 2007. The veteran is requesting a full review of these decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and left wrist disability. The evidence did not show current disabilities that met VA criteria or a relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and a need for further clarification of the reasons behind these inconsistencies.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's tinnitus began during active service or as a result of in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, left knee injury, gastrointestinal problems, hemorrhoids, back injury and bilateral hearing loss are not related to service. The claim for service connection for residuals of a broken jaw is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tinnitus or hearing loss that is attributable to his military service. The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure and concluded that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 3, 2003 for service connection of tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the rating assigned is 0 (indicating noncompensable disability).