Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board finds that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of tuberculosis and unspecified residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The lung disability, other than TB, and left ear hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current heart condition to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The other issues were not addressed as they were withdrawn by the appellant.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is only Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for spondylosis, lumbar spine; chondromalacia, right knee with cyst; hiatal hernia; and hemorrhoids. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and denied service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability is referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions were not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, scar of the left cheek, and scar of the right breast. The claim for service connection for a chronic cardiac disorder (hypertension) is also granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 10% to noncompensable was proper based on the evidence and applicable regulations at the time.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or hepatitis C infection related to military service, and his right arm injury is not linked to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA audiometric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiac ischemia and hypertension, left great toe fractures, tinnitus, depression, and hearing loss, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating since the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has jurisdiction to consider the claim of service connection for hearing loss on the merits, but deferred a decision on tinnitus until the hearing loss claim is fully developed.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in the military. Resolving reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor, the Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.