Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to any in-service event. The hypertension claim was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange or other factors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sarcoidosis is etiologically related to exposure to smoke during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be attributable to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions such as a skin disorder, left shoulder disorder, or hearing loss disabilities. The appellant's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange in Korea.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is remanded due to the lack of available service records and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane, left ear are not rated higher than the current noncompensable evaluations due to lack of evidence showing an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board has granted an initial staged rating of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss from the effective date of service connection and a 20 percent rating from the date of examination on November 30, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and new evidence may be needed. The veteran's hearing loss and knee disabilities are still under review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, service connection for both disabilities is denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 80 percent, with a combined rating of 70 percent. The effective date remains unchanged as the claim was previously granted.

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 can they be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, his claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The VA 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 has remanded the case for a new VA audiometry examination to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure as a gunner's mate during the Korean War.

The Board found that the veteran's dorsal and lumbar back problems were incurred in service, supported by VA medical opinions. The hearing loss was not attributable to his exposure to loud noise during active military service.

The Board has determined that an extra-schedular rating in excess of 20 percent for a hearing loss disability, left ear is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The veteran's employment difficulties are already compensated by the current 20 percent extra-schedular rating.