Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it only results in Level II hearing acuity in the right ear and Level I hearing acuity in the left ear.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his 1998 ear surgery and any medical opinions generated at that time.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to the presence of Level III impairment in both ears.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of disability.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not related to service, leading to a denial of both claims. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and finds that his conditions are not related to service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal will be REMANDED for these purposes.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability was denied by the RO, and the Board concurred with this decision.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim. For obstructive sleep apnea, the evidence did not show he required use of a CPAP machine.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or for many years after, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Hepatitis C was not shown during service or for many years after, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and varicose veins and thrombophlebitis of the right leg are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing disability to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic tinnitus is related to his service, specifically his aerial gunnery training and combat experiences. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his current bilateral hearing loss disability and his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation throughout the rating period on appeal, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and reviewing all relevant medical records to determine if there is any link between the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, finding that there is no legal basis to grant these claims based on VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and sinusitis. However, it found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including his right ear hearing loss, is service-connected. The right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service due to acoustic trauma sustained during combat training and work environment.