Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and thus denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss and seminoma of the left testicle are service-connected. The anxiety disorder/PTSD claim is granted with a rating in excess of 30 percent, while the right ear hearing loss disability remains at a non-compensable level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his left knee disorder is not. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the left knee issue.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination as his condition may have worsened since his last VA examination in November 2004.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from June 30, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service or post-service symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by hearing acuity of Level I in the right ear and Level VII in the left ear, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board denied his claim as his hearing loss does not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for hepatitis C, hearing loss, liver disease, residuals of a head injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and pterygium (claimed as vision loss) due to lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The other issues, including those related to knee disabilities, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The veteran is seeking an effective date prior to August 16, 2004 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a CUE in a February 1951 rating decision. The case requires additional development by obtaining medical records from his Navy Reserve duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability. The decision also noted that new evidence submitted since the last final denial did not meet the criteria to reopen the previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The rating for generalized anxiety disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his military service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The veteran's dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis is rated at 60 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 7816. Her bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.