Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for his left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss disability and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertriglyceridemia was denied as the condition is not a disability under VA laws and regulations. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, or medical nexus between an in-service disease or injury and the current disability.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since October 23, 2003. The VA has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational or social impairment.,The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable. The VA found no evidence of total occupational or social impairment.

The VA denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current Level I hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by military service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in active duty. The diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are from many years after separation from service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service. The RO has scheduled VA examinations for the veteran's GERD and right wrist injury.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as it is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted a noncompensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and residuals of left ear surgery, finding that there was no evidence of suppuration or aural polyps in his service-connected left ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during or as a result of service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss rating from 50% to 10% was proper based on improved audiometric results, and thus denied the request for restoration of a 50% rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service or any event therein, and thus denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required concerning the veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VCAA notice and missing post-service medical records. The case is being remanded for compliance with the VCAA and recent case law.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an ulcer condition and entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for gall stones prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during military service. However, the VA has not provided a thorough examination or medical opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a myocardial infarction during active duty or reserve service.