Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA audiological examination to assess the current nature of the veteran's hearing loss and determine its relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure and ear infections incurred therein. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease during service or continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are denied. The claim for service connection for a respiratory illness and skin disease of the feet is also denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds no evidence of a current right leg disability.,Service connection for either condition cannot be established.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to acoustic trauma during active service and awarded an initial rating for PTSD. The veteran's claims are now effective from the date of his claim.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his vocational rehabilitation training and providing proper VCAA notice regarding the requirements for a higher disability rating for BPH.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to in-service noise exposure. The VA has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a prior VA hearing loss examination that was not considered in the initial decision. The veteran's claim of service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss in the right ear within VA standards and concluded that service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be granted due to lack of a diagnosis. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of chronic hearing loss in service with continuity of symptomatology demonstrated thereafter.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss and found that the partial loss of taste is not compensable due to lack of complete loss. The effective date remains pending as it was not specified in this decision.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the disability remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbances, to include sleepwalking and insomnia. The preponderance of the evidence is against a nexus between current hearing loss and any incident of service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of concussion, facial paralysis, and speech impediment. The reasons include a lack of evidence of chronic disability in service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and review of his claims, including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic otitis externa.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining evidence of asbestos exposure during service and determining whether COPD and emphysema are related to asbestos exposure. The veteran's hearing loss is also being evaluated.