Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of myocardial ischemia or hearing loss and tinnitus, and the veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude substantially gainful employment, as his educational background suggests he has the capability to pursue other forms of employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the weight of evidence tipping in favor of a finding that these conditions began during his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, a cyst in the ear (cholesteatoma), and a respiratory disorder. The Board found that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed chronic low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is currently under review.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, depression, and tinnitus) are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation given his education and occupational experience. As such, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear and PTSD. The denial of hearing loss was based on the lack of a current disability, while the denial of PTSD was due to the fact that the evidence did not meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and his chronic disability manifested by headaches, sleepiness, and dizziness is not due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of Persian Gulf War service. The claim for increased rating for multiple lipomas was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD to allow for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and thus denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is directly related to his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to in-service acoustic trauma from working on aircraft engines, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable from October 2, 2003 and at least 20 percent since April 13, 2006. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD) is considered 'unknown' as it does not involve service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during service or due to in-service noise exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.