Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD diagnosis is valid and based on verified in-service stressors, thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to provide a VA examination and opinion addressing the etiology of any current right ear hearing loss, including whether it is at least as likely as not (50% or greater likelihood) that the veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset in service. A new examination for left ear hearing loss is also required.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hearing loss of the left ear, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The claim for a compensable rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity was granted but with an initial noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss but denied it due to lack of evidence showing a current disability resulting from noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or migraine headaches. The appellant's current conditions are not shown to have been incurred during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to unclear allegations of noise exposure and the need for additional verification of his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the veteran's current hearing loss is due to his active service. The claim was reopened and service connection was established.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development at the RO level. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus are pending.

The veteran's hearing loss was previously rated at 10 percent, and the RO increased it to 30 percent from June 23, 2003 to April 24, 2008. The rating was subsequently increased to 50 percent effective April 25, 2008.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh. The maximum schedular rating available for each condition was assigned.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service, while his tinnitus is not. Bilateral hearing loss is granted as a direct result of noise exposure in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current disability level.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. A new hearing will be scheduled for him.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and to reopen her claim for hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a stressor related to active duty or new and material evidence supporting her hearing loss claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA audiological examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's service connection claims for stomach disability, low back disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of urethritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation throughout the rating period on appeal.