Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 22, 1995 for the TDIU is not warranted as it was not factually ascertainable prior to this date that the veteran's service-connected disabilities made her unemployable.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for xerosis and other conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, vertigo, chronic fatigue syndrome, folliculitis, right ankle disability, aphthous ulcers, sinus tachycardia, rhinosinusitis, hypertension, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric condition is also service connected.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD, right ear hearing loss, or left ear hearing loss attributable to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current hearing loss and service, particularly his active duty for training and inactive duty training periods. The veteran is requested to provide verification of these periods and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if the hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease as there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thus denying the appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and eye disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for an audiometric examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is now warranted due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but has determined that there is not enough evidence to establish a link between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, including a lack of VA audiology examination results and missing service medical records. The veteran needs further examinations and development.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable rating for his hearing loss conditions, finding no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.