Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 5, 2005. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent. The veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of current disability and that his hearing loss is not related to service or service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing disability for VA compensation purposes and his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee is manifested by normal extension. The criteria for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for instability of the left knee and an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee have not been met.

The Board found that the veteran's assertion of a low back injury during service is not credible, and there is no medical evidence indicating that his currently diagnosed low back disorder is related to service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an effective date before October 11, 2002, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no pending claim before that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or a ruptured ear drum, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from VA, Social Security Administration, and Office of Worker's Compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of worsening since the effective date of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability and no etiological link to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current disability and military service or any incident thereof.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death, nor contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence linking the conditions to in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disorder that is related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

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

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 31, 2003. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct link to service. Service connection for hyperkeratosis of the hands and feet (due to Agent Orange exposure) was granted.

The VA denied an initial (compensable) disability rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is likely due to service-related acoustical trauma, and he is granted service connection for this condition. For his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a compensable evaluation of 10% was assigned.