Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the veteran's hearing loss, as well as to determine if his diabetes mellitus type II may be related to his current hearing loss.

The veteran's left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with the evidence showing a causal nexus between in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or within one year after discharge. The examiner stated that the current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, particularly related to recent treatment of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise or reverse a September 21, 1960 rating decision that reduced his evaluation for right ear hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable. The veteran argued there was CUE based on changes in law and flawed examination results, but the Board found no error of fact or law.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, specifically exposure to noise. The veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left hamstring disability, neck disability and low back disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not increase in service and is not presumed to have been aggravated by military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by competent medical evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service. The Board also notes that there is no demonstrated continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiometry evaluations and treatment records.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by a Level II hearing loss for the right ear and a Level III hearing loss for the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also granted an initial rating of 20% for his service-connected left knee disability, effective March 27, 2008.,The veteran was not shown to have a current diagnosis of a back disorder or bilateral hearing loss that is related to service or a service-connected condition.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether these conditions are related to his military service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability from appeal. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted, with a current rating of 50 percent.