Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, post-concussive syndrome, temporal lobe seizures, neuropathy of the left common peroneal nerve, left ankle fracture, right ear hearing loss, balance disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The appeals are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for bilateral knee disorder and ankle disorder. The veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The VA Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely than not related to service, including noise exposure during basic training and while detonating munitions. The evidence showed significant occupational noise exposure from his meat-packing plant work over many years after service.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and adjustment disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for left ear hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 7, 2008 and a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning April 7, 2008.

The Board finds that the veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are granted. However, the claim for a low back disorder is denied as there was no in-service injury or incident related to this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric results do not warrant any higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's hepatitis C disability. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically working with jet engines. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of hearing loss at VA disability compensation levels.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, hypertension as 10 percent disabling, lumbar strain also at 10 percent, and the other conditions are not found to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left wrist, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and there was no evidence of a causal relationship to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss did not occur during his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.