Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current left knee disability. The RO will also attempt to obtain a record of his periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to the lack of meeting the minimum requirements for an allowance under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to service exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus at the time he separated from service, no evidence of manifestations of sensorineural hearing loss within one year following his discharge from service, and no competent evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent and persuasive evidence showing a relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and fibromyalgia due to incomplete information in the examination report, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records from Ann Arbor VA Hospital Clinic and SSA.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including exposure to noise. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a direct relationship between the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his active service. The examiner noted that these conditions are more likely related to noise exposure from occupational and recreational activities after discharge.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and making a formal finding regarding the effect of the other than honorable discharge on the veteran's claims. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the claimed back disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during active duty. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted effective from December 24, 2002.,PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been awarded retroactively to the date of claim (December 24, 2002).,No specific effective date was assigned for these conditions as they are considered new claims filed after a final denial.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for visual impairment, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate for rating purposes and remands the case to provide a new examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing impairment or tinnitus during service. The post-service medical records do not show any complaints or treatment for these conditions until many years after service ended.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. The veteran was assigned a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disability and service.