Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating for either condition.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, with effective dates of July 17, 2002. The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his hearing loss was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking it to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the veteran's full service medical records, specifically those from his National Guard service. The RO should also request copies of the veteran's SSA disability benefits and supporting medical documents.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD, finding no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chills, bilateral hearing loss, and shin splints due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The veteran is entitled to a grant of service connection for his diagnosed conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination. The issue of service connection for vertigo secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus has also been referred back for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Cloud Hospital from September 2, 2004 to September 4, 2004 are granted as the treatment was for an emergent condition and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claims for increased evaluations of the lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities were also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which manifested as Level II and III hearing acuity in both ears prior to January 4, 2008, and Level IV hearing acuity in the left ear beginning January 4, 2008, does not warrant a higher initial rating.