Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his time in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability within one year of separation from service or during service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right upper forearm and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for recognition of a disability under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by auditory acuity level I in both ears, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for PTSD was denied due to a lack of verified stressor events, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of hearing loss within one year post-service or at any point in time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to service. The examiner opined that the veteran's current complaints are more likely related to post-service occupational activities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis, finding that the disability did not present so exceptional or unusual a picture as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis with spinal stenosis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left knee. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his left ear hearing loss is not. The back disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied because there was no current left ear hearing loss, and the right ear preexisted service without aggravation. The claim for tinnitus is pending as a VA examination is needed.

The Board found that an effective date prior to October 22, 2004 for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no factual ascertainability of increased disability prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant any increase in disability ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and translating audiograms.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are not related to his in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection was granted for tinnitus as it had its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA audiological examination. The veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are currently under review.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to his military service.