Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for low back strain with degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus of the right ear, arthritis secondary to diabetes mellitus, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and GERD. The veteran was not granted any new evaluations or connections.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between current symptoms and active duty. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service acoustic trauma exposure. The decision on bilateral hearing loss and headaches remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for his right middle finger disability. The veteran's left ear hearing loss was not shown to have been aggravated by service, while his tinnitus and right middle finger disability were not found to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's claims, including his right little finger injury, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left ear mastoiditis with otitis media, finding that there was no evidence of impairment warranting a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gynecological disabilities, including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, menometrorrhagia and urinary stress incontinence, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for COPD as a result of asbestos exposure, hearing loss of the left ear, and residuals of nose, right eye, right jaw, and right teeth injuries. The claims are based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for service-connected residuals of prostate cancer was granted, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy and hearing loss were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA rating schedules. Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the veteran's request.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his current diagnosis and a medical opinion on whether his hearing loss could be related to or aggravated by his service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss and shell fragment wound, left thigh and knee.