Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently present hearing loss disability.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, resolving all reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor. Left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a compensable rating for any of his service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various scars, or an increase in severity of PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating from the date of service connection.

The Board remands the case to obtain a new VA opinion addressing whether the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is directly related to his military service and, if not, whether it was incurred or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, as the evidence did not show that it was related to any disease or injury in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, but denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sebaceous cysts were not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board at the Cleveland, Ohio office.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss was found to be non-compensable, and the appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is stayed.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened, but a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case on service connection for bilateral hearing loss and neuropsychiatric disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee disability rated at 30%, a low back disability rated at 20%, and bilateral hearing loss rated at 10%, do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board remands the case for further development to obtain an appropriate medical opinion and additional audiometric test results.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, increased rating for status-post lateral meniscectomy of the right knee, increase in disability rating for multiple kidney stones, and a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current disabilities are rated as noncompensable.