Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, major depressive disorder (MDD), and a skin disability. The claim for erectile dysfunction was referred to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is not reopened.,Service connection for reduced testosterone associated with herbicide exposure from March 1, 2007, was granted with an evaluation of 40 percent effective March 1, 2007. The veteran's prostate cancer status post radical retropubic prostatectomy remains at a 100 percent rating.,The veteran has filed a notice of disagreement on the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for reduced testosterone.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no current disability for VA purposes of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is service-connected. The evidence shows no in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from January 2, 2006. The veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition is denied.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment does not warrant such a rating based on the audiometric test results.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The RO denied the claim, and the case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred during active service or related to in-service noise exposure, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that October 8, 2003 was the earliest possible date for the grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sciatica, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a valid period of military service from 1942 to August 7, 1946 and was not a POW for VA purposes. Therefore, his claims related to this time period are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, left eye disorder, low back disorder, asbestosis, and left foot disorder were previously denied. New evidence submitted since the August 2001 rating decision has reopened these claims but does not establish service connection due to lack of current disability or medical causation.

The veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected left eye condition and other disabilities. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, in and of themselves, are of such severity as to preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment requiring either mobility or merely a stationary setting.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.