Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found no direct evidence linking tinnitus to service.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal as he withdrew his claim for service connection of a right wrist disorder prior to decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing or ringing in ears during service, and competent medical opinions do not support a link between these conditions and his military service. The post-service noise exposure is considered significant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss disability in either ear for VA compensation purposes, and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as they are more likely due to natural aging rather than noise exposure in service.

The veteran withdrew his claims for asthma, cardiac disability, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss prior to the Board's decision. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of hearing loss of the right ear remains pending as it was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his hearing loss and perforation of the tympanic membrane due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new examination.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not become manifest during service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The VA granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective July 29, 2003. The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 7, 2005, for TDIU due to lack of factual ascertainability of unemployability within one year before the date of his claim.

The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the required criteria for total disability rating.

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

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The claim for higher initial disability rating for PTSD was withdrawn by the appellant.