Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current tinnitus was not likely caused by noise exposure during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The RO denied these claims on the merits, as there was no evidence showing a direct connection to service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for his service-connected hearing loss in the left ear is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for clarification on certain aspects of the audiometric testing.

The veteran's sinus disorder is likely attributable to his period of active military service, and the Board finds that he has a sinus disorder that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, headache disability, and cardiovascular disease (claimed as secondary to PTSD).,Service connection was not granted for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of evidence showing it is related to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent from May 2, 2006.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and were not related to his in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are more likely due to occupational noise exposure after service.

The veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or are related to his military service, thus denying the claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's syndrome disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The VA examinations and medical records do not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the effective date for adding a dependent spouse to receive benefits for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is March 26, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but an effective date prior to November 29, 2002 is not warranted as the earliest possible effective date would be that day.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by the antibiotic treatment he received during his VA hospitalization for MRSA pneumonia in November 2000, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the veteran's request and because of his advanced age.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining worker's compensation records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media.

The veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated treatment records and schedule a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his hearing impairment, as well as its impact on employment.