Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination by an otolaryngologist and a VA audiological examination.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, but the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities alone.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for prostatitis and erectile dysfunction before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including corroborating his participation in Army rifle team activities and determining if noise trauma occurred during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The claim for service connection for depression was also addressed but not decided.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active duty, while the left ear hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his service, including acoustic trauma. The veteran does not have left ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

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

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of continuous total disability for at least ten years prior to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological evaluation is needed to assess the severity of the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, as his claim for an increased rating was based on allegations of worsening disability. The RO must obtain all outstanding records and provide the veteran with another opportunity to submit evidence pertinent to his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure and no medical opinion linking current hearing loss to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hearing loss and emphysema due to potential issues with the evidence, requiring further examination and development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that his current hearing disability did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not causally related to a disease, injury or event in service.

The VA audiometric test results show that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, which represents a higher evaluation than what was previously assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being evaluated based on his service exposure and post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's TMJ dysfunction, tinnitus, hearing loss, and headaches are related to his inservice dental trauma. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and cervical spine disability.