Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to service. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current hearing loss disability is presumed to have resulted from noise exposure during his active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury to include the right hip and for right ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to address the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder claims. The case is therefore REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete information and evidence. The claims of service connection for residuals of injury to the right great toe, bilateral hearing loss, and pneumonia are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. A new VA audiological examination is required, as well as a review of the claim based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions diagnosed in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for asbestos-related lung disease also fails as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability related to asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The RO reduced the veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2007. The reduction was based on test results from a July 2006 VA examination that did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric results do not warrant any higher rating based on the VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with exposure to noise from aircraft. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and chronic otitis media, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim was granted based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and found that there was no relationship between his left eye disability and military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left ear hearing loss disability existed prior to his service and was not aggravated during or within one year of separation. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The objective medical evidence is in equipoise as to whether the current hearing loss is related to service, and thus the benefit of the doubt is given to the veteran.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have dysthymic disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, or bilateral hearing loss that is attributable to his period of military service. The claims are therefore denied.