Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. His right foot scar claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The veteran's removal of left testicle and epididymis is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7524.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an endocrine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiologist examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic disability manifest by dizziness that began during service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The case is being remanded for additional audiometric testing to evaluate the current severity of the veteran's hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent from November 24, 2004 to November 1, 2007 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a zero percent disability rating. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and knee/back conditions are not compensably rated, but the appeal is remanded to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ALS, as well as his request for an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran was granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective July 2, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service-connected dental injury, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing loss. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a medical opinion assessing his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a heart disability and tinnitus, but denied hearing loss. The decision also reopened the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran does not have right ankle sprain, stomach problems, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus as a result of service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions that could be linked to active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for reopening claims of service connection for a back disorder, diabetes mellitus with episodes of hypoglycemia, headaches, and vision loss with corneal scars of the right eye. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was not reopened.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric test results correspond to numeric designations no worse than Level I for both ears. The noncompensable rating is appropriate for the entire appeal period.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.