Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss did not begin in service and is not related to noise exposure during active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability due to service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as his tinnitus, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to both hands and feet, but denied the remaining claims as there is no current evidence of a disability or link to service.

The Board found no evidence of right ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability. The veteran's lay opinion was not considered competent medical evidence to support his claim. As such, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for scheduling an audiometric examination.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his bilateral diabetic retinopathy. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it does not involve a direct link between service and the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his puretone threshold averages do not exceed the required levels under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic left ear hearing loss disability originated during active service and is now granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis of asbestosis or any other chronic respiratory disease. As such, the claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the previous examination did not meet VA requirements.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for narcolepsy was granted, but the claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease was not reopened.