Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the presence and etiology of bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis, including obtaining VA and private medical records, conducting a VA examination, and determining whether there are any SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran was exposed to stressors in service and to obtain his missing service medical records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The VA denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service hearing impairment or a nexus to service.

The Board has ordered a search for missing service medical records and requests the veteran to provide information about any private or VA care received since separation from active duty. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied the claim. The hearing loss issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, multiple joint arthritis in additional joints, or a chronic skin disorder. Service connection was denied as no new evidence was provided to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hiatal hernia were denied. The RO assigned a 70 percent rating for the bilateral hearing loss effective July 16, 2007.

The VA denied the claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no recent audiometric testing or complaints related to this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The evidentiary record does not contain any competent and probative evidence to support a finding that the veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss, with a ruptured left eardrum, that his due to any incident or event in active military service. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including leg and back pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, alcohol abuse-induced liver disease, PTSD, hearing loss, and attempted suicide. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and continued a zero percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The RO issued this decision on March 15, 2001, which was effective May 11, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was not aggravated during service beyond its natural progression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for stress fractures of the feet and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability related to service.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his back injury residuals and associated radiculopathy was denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for the back injury with a claimed kidney condition is maintained, as well as separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to a lack of medical evidence supporting his service connection claims and because proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson, 19 Vet. App. 473 (2006), was not provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in active military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice provided to the veteran regarding his claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.