Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, or hearing loss related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted because the veteran's diagnosed tinnitus is found to be etiologically linked to his active military service. However, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied due to a lack of audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining reserve duty medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if current back or bilateral knee disorders are related to service. The veteran's claims for increased rating of right ear hearing loss and service connection for back disorder and bilateral knee disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that it is related to his military service, granting the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and earlier effective date for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied as there is no factual uncertainty regarding when the claim was received.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 28, 2006 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim is without legal merit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding no medical nexus between current disabilities and active duty.

The veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal on issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bowel blockage with severe stomach pain, and residuals of a circumcision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no specific date provided as effective.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion addressing his service-connected disabilities on their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, including noise exposure and head trauma. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The veteran's initial ratings for left ear and bilateral hearing loss have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The right knee condition is also not established as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from a left or right ankle disability, a left trapezius muscle strain, bronchitis, or bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a right knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus related to active service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.