Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a 10 percent rating for inguinal hernia. The veteran's claim for tinnitus was previously granted in January 2004.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, leading to denial of both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, specifically noting significant post-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during active duty service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's right ear hearing loss, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service.

The veteran's current foot problems, PTSD, and hearing loss are not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to use assistive devices.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome with vertigo and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure. The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities was denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss, a chronic sinus condition, or a left thumb disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened, and his claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, residuals of nasal fracture, dermatitis of the back, and right wrist ganglion cyst were denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for sinusitis is set at February 23, 2005.,The veteran's claim for an increase in rating for his service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture was granted with an effective date of September 20, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, PTSD, residuals of a scar above the left eye, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for shin splints of both legs and a lower back condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the veteran for an orthopedic examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability in either ear, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including a statement of the case on service connection for peripheral neuropathy and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the February 1975 rating decision that denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was not enough evidence to show the correct facts were before the adjudicator or that statutory provisions were incorrectly applied.