Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and mixed hearing loss of the right ear as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for compliance with instructions in a Joint Motion. The veteran's service medical records need to be obtained, and if not found, a formal finding should be made. A VA audiological examination is also needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right knee disability were denied. The RO granted the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, but did not grant any compensable ratings or staged evaluations for his right knee disability.

The veteran's hearing loss is rated at 10 percent from March 31, 2003 to May 28, 2008 and at 40 percent thereafter.,The veteran's foot disease was not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right ear hearing loss and residuals of right ear mastoidectomy were denied by the VA Regional Office.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for tinnitus, chronic low back disability, or an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration decisions and medical records used in those decisions, evaluating the veteran's disabilities, and preparing a rating decision that lists all diagnosed disabilities and their percentage evaluations.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating effective April 6, 2007. Prior to this date, he was not entitled to any compensation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the current conditions are not related to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches secondary to hearing loss was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected dementia contributed to his choice to ride an ATV in inclement weather, leading to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

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