Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including those related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss in the right ear, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's attorney requested additional medical records and clarification on whether a hearing is desired.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hammertoes and right ear hearing loss do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss, which he claims is due to in-service noise exposure as a metal worker. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing impairment and service.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that the veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during active duty and denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression. The appeals were based on direct evidence from service records.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran. The VA examiner determined it is as likely as not that both conditions were incurred during service due to noise exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his claim to reopen a PTSD claim was also denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the PTSD claim due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or symptoms during service. The post-service medical records indicate that the disabilities began many years after service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his appeal.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of such during or within one year after his separation from active military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is considered the most severe impairment based on audiometric testing. The rating reflects the clinically established impairment experienced by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a back disorder, finding that his current conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear and tinnitus, finding no current disability as defined by VA regulations. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for ventral hernia repair was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss, knee disabilities, and plantar fasciitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. He is now assigned a 10% evaluation for his right elbow disability, which includes ulnar neuropathy.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an earlier effective date for tinnitus were denied. The decision also granted service connection for tinnitus, effective from May 25, 1976.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military duty, including noise exposure during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.