Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence showing a current disability or a relationship between military service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and opinion due to an inadequate previous VA examiner's opinion.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to military service. The VA audiological examinations showed no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus until many years post-service, and the competent medical opinions established no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for otitis media of the left ear and bilateral hearing loss, finding no legal basis for higher schedular evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a right shoulder disability, an eye disability manifested by diplopia, and a chronic upper gastrointestinal disability (to include GERD). The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific date provided as effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including left ear hearing loss, right hand condition, left hand condition, or left ankle condition.

The veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, left patellofemoral syndrome, arthritis of both feet, and arthritis of the left knee are all granted. The rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is increased to 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion. The current evidence does not establish a clear link between his active duty noise exposure and his current hearing condition.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examiner concluded that the current disabilities are less likely related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and denied the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his current ratings are at their maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied this claim. The issue of increased evaluation for PTSD remains pending.

The veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection, and his bilateral hearing loss is assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective November 12, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, right eye injury residuals, right knee injury, and damage to chest wall muscle are pending as additional evidence may be submitted.