Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss during service and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria and no medical basis to link his hearing loss to military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and disability of the lungs, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service. The veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to exposure to acoustic trauma experienced during active service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus do not have a direct link to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing problems. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for service connection of low back disability, to include on a secondary basis, was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss or right knee disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for PTSD remains pending as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding its diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA medical examination to determine if the appellant's current hearing loss is related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service. The joint pain claim is also reopened.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss can be decided.

The veteran's disabilities are of such nature and severity as to permanently prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, but he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and thus failing to meet Hickson elements (2) and (3).

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal for an initial noncompensable disability rating and earlier effective date for hearing loss of the left ear was denied as he did not file a timely substantive appeal, and there was no claim prior to August 15, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in active military service, and denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for PTSD was also remanded.