Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis externa.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned for further review after this examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a hematopoietic disorder, including polycythemia rubea and red cell leukemia, due to herbicide exposure. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, but the examiner found it less likely than not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied by the RO, with a decision in favor of the RO on both issues.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss and concluded that the veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran is currently receiving treatment at the Mental Health Clinic.

The VA has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of ten percent.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the appellant's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that his symptoms warrant such an increase. The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's application for enrollment in the VA health-care system was denied as he submitted his application after January 17, 2003, and is not eligible due to being in Priority Group 8.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, while the PTSD claim was granted.,The claims for depression and low back disorder were reopened but not granted.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to issues with service medical records, inadequate VA opinions, and failure to obtain alternative forms of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 22, 2004.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinus disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and right elbow disorder are denied. The claim for service connection for IBS is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to noise during his naval aviator duties in Vietnam is related to his current condition. Service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was not established due to lack of a current disability as defined by VA regulations.