Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Curtiss Clinic in Ohio and Ford Hospital in Detroit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including hearing loss and a bilateral leg disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's status post superficial burn of the left arm is also denied as it was not related to service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case on her claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hearing loss in the right ear, and for proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a relationship to service. The reopened claims were also denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and a back disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has found the veteran's account of noise exposure credible and consistent with his military service. The medical evidence confirms that he has tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, which are linked to his military noise exposure. As a result, the veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a sinus disability attributable to service. The evidence does not establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service, and there are no currently demonstrated fragment wound scars of the right lower extremity. The claim for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

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 insufficient competent medical evidence to link current hearing loss to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in both ears, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and the provision of any relevant medical records.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the impact of in-service noise exposure on the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.