Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to military service. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service and denied this claim. The issue of tinnitus was remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted a non-compensable evaluation for residuals of perforated tympanic membrane, left ear. The evidence submitted since the final denial in December 1976 includes a VA examination report linking the veteran's subjective symptoms to both active duty and post-service noise exposures.

The veteran's appeal is denied for the right hand disorder claim. The Board finds that there is no current evidence of a chronic right hand disorder incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as the earliest date entitlement could be granted is August 16, 2005.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA standards and concluded that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a review of his testimony and possibly another VA audiologist evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his average puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability or a left knee disorder, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred during his honorable service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or hypertension that are related to his military service.

The Board has found no evidence linking the veteran's claimed conditions to his active duty service, except for bilateral hearing loss. The current existence of tinnitus and a mental disorder (claimed as nervousness) is not supported by competent medical evidence. Service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of updated treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support her contention that her hearing loss resulted from VA treatment in August 1998.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim due to an inadequate previous VA opinion. The veteran's hearing loss may be associated with his service, but further evidence and development are needed.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether any preexisting ear dysfunction increased in severity during service or was incurred during active service.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for labored breathing associated with asbestos exposure were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that would support the claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform some type of sedentary job with the help of a telephone and talking to people. The Board denied his claim for TDIU.