Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of zero percent.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected. The claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely the result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a back condition, and service connection for McArdle's Disease. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by hearing loss or tinnitus due to disease or injury incurred in service. The veteran's current conditions are not linked to his period of active military duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was not established.,Service connection cannot be granted for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence of a current disability, and the veteran's claimed hearing problems are not linked to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and thus, his claim of service connection for hearing loss is denied. The tinnitus claim will be remanded to obtain National Guard service medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding that new evidence did not reopen his claim of hearing loss and that he did not meet criteria for higher ratings for PTSD. The claims were also denied as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are denied as there is no indication in the record that he intended to reopen or file a new claim prior to July 20, 2004.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence received since August 1970 raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The veteran's pre-existing hearing loss is found to have increased in severity during service due to noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability related to his active duty for training, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cholesteatoma with right ear hearing loss are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board finds no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection and reopening are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is not due to in-service acoustic trauma and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The psychiatric disorder claim requires further development as it involves a recent opinion based on limited records.

The veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective June 1, 2004 based on the increase in severity of his service-connected conditions and to resolve reasonable doubt in his favor.