Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 100 percent effective from August 5, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to his time in service. The claim for a left ankle disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is manifested by no more than Level IV hearing impairment, which does not warrant a compensable disability rating. The claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service. The veteran was not provided proper VCAA notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his military service. However, the VA has not provided a VA examination to determine the current nature and extent of these conditions or their etiology.

The veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis, residuals of a right fourth finger injury, and kidney stone (nephrolithiasis). Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is established for the following conditions: bilateral Achilles tendonitis, residuals of a right fourth finger injury, and nephrolithiasis. The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria and insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's right ear hearing loss from February 1, 2005.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability and denied the claim. The hearing loss disability is conceded, but there is insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability with ear infections and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss of the left ear. The RO denied part of his claim due to lack of meeting threshold requirements for hearing loss as defined by VA criteria at 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The case is REMANDED for a VA audiometric examination to determine if he has hearing loss of the left ear as defined by VA.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he does not have a current disability that meets VA compensation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and eye disorder are related to his military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination in May 2005.

The Board has awarded service connection for the veteran's right ear hearing loss. The case is now remanded to determine a rating for bilateral hearing loss, including left ear hearing loss.

The Board finds that the reduction in the appellant's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to a noncompensable rating was proper and procedurally sound. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of record supporting restoration of the previous 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to service.