Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of these conditions during the veteran's active service or many years thereafter.

The veteran's nasopharyngeal cancer, left ear disorder (including middle ear effusion, intermittent tinnitus, ear blockage, and hearing loss), and dry mouth and throat dysphagia were all granted service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as there was no competent evidence of current disability or a relationship to service, and the claim for an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable (zero percent) rating.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right shoulder disability were reopened but ultimately denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a chronic condition since service or a medical opinion linking the current disabilities to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a back disability, and an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids were denied. However, the claim for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear was granted.

The appeal was denied for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for residuals of left knee injury. The effective date for the service-connected left knee condition is February 8, 2005.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss was found to be non-compensable as the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating standards.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure in service, and grants service connection.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, impairment of the right lower extremity, major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left ring finger arthralgia, and dermatitis. However, it granted service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral high frequency sensory hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective June 25, 2007.

The Board grants service connection for PTSD based on the veteran's combat experiences during World War II.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disability were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not related to his period of active service or any incident therein, and denied the claim for service connection.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including a fresh VA audiological examination and an ear examination with medical nexus opinions.

The veteran does not have PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.