Hearing loss decisions — 2008

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

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine if a back disorder pre-existed service and was aggravated by service, as well as whether the veteran's current hearing loss may have been caused by his military service. The appeal is also remanded to comply with VCAA requirements regarding right ear hearing loss on the basis of aggravation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by Level II hearing acuity in both ears prior to September 19, 2007. As of September 19, 2007, the disability is manifested by Level VII hearing acuity in the left ear and Level II in the right ear. The RO increased the rating from 0% to 10%.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an eye disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including residuals of exposure to toxic chemicals, bronchitis, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left tympanic membrane perforation. The decision found no relationship between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, finding new and material evidence. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than level III hearing impairment in the right ear and level VI hearing impairment in the left ear, warranting a 10 percent disability rating. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hearing loss related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of a compensable rating for dermatophytosis of the toes is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic sleep disorder or skin disorder related to service. The veteran's hyperlipidemia was not shown to be incurred in service, and his foot fungus was first noted many years after service discharge without any inservice treatment records. Service connection for diabetes mellitus with subjective neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted but at a 20% rating.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is not attributable to service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and otitis externa. The evidence does not meet the minimum standards of impairment required under VA regulations to establish a current disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an initial compensable rating for his perforated left eardrum with left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO assigned a noncompensable evaluation prior to September 7, 2007 and a 10 percent evaluation since that date.