Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted based on new evidence suggesting a link between the hearing loss and his time in service, including potential ototoxic effects from streptomycin treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of onset during active service or etiological relationship to his service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of a right wrist fracture, and alcoholism were denied. However, the claim for service connection for alcoholism as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder was granted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to the RO for further development and adjudication.

The veteran's back disorder was not related to his military service, and an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss is not warranted.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was related to his active duty service, and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, as there was no evidence to support that his hearing loss was caused by or aggravated during his military service.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or schizo-affective disorder, was reopened. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for meningitis, sleep apnea, hypertension, a low back disability, plantar fasciitis, hearing loss, and tinnitus as well as for a respiratory disorder characterized by 'breathing problems' and vertigo, finding no evidence of these conditions during the veteran's active military service or any relationship to her service.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened, but not granted. The veteran's arthritis of the cervical and lumbar segments of the spine with degenerative changes did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board finds that the competent and credible evidence weighs against the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back disorder. The medical evidence does not etiologically relate the veteran's current low back disability to his active service.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from September 30, 2003 to October 29, 2004; however, the evaluations of 30 and 40 percent were not warranted during the respective periods.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current hearing loss and his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, while his vestibular disorder was denied. The PTSD rating claim is remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for chondromalacia of the left knee and denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and scar of the left ankle.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of left leg injury as there was no competent evidence establishing the veteran currently has such a condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss.