Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right knee or left knee disability, nor did the medical evidence support separate diagnoses for left hip pain or shoulder pain. For bilateral hearing loss, the VA examination revealed normal hearing thresholds but noted symptoms consistent with PTSD affecting his ability to work.

The Board denied all claims, including the initial evaluation for tinnitus and the compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an effective date prior to September 7, 2005, for service connection of PTSD was also denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbosacral strain. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination, is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they had their onset during active duty.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, heart condition, and basal cell carcinoma. The RO found no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 40 percent rating for undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle ache, headache, and neurological symptoms. The effective date remains pending as the RO has not issued an SOC.

The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure or complaints related to hearing loss and tinnitus, and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for atherosclerotic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for left ear disability. The veteran does not have hearing loss disability in the left ear.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, which was previously denied in May 1996. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective January 17, 2006. The veteran's tinnitus issue is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder is not service-connected, and denied his claims for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for bladder resection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO level.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.