Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of malaria, and residuals of mumps were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing the presence or continuity of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's pre-existing hearing loss is not shown to have increased in severity beyond normal progression during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including an inguinal hernia, right knee disability, low back disability, right hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active duty, thus denying service connection. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a vertebra disability, left hip arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and acid reflux with precancerous lesions in the esophagus. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not related to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The case remains pending for the issue of service connection for sarcoidosis, which is addressed in a separate REMAND.

The veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further evaluation as they may be related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as audiometric testing revealed level I hearing acuity in both ears. The claim for an initial increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and denied service connection for a left leg disability. Service connection is granted for hearing loss of the right ear due to in-service noise exposure, while no current evidence supports a left leg disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss as no new and material evidence was submitted, despite the submission of additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current migraine headaches and vertigo are not related to his military service. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently present but its etiology remains unclear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the right great toe had its onset during active military service and is granted service connection. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it requires further examination to determine if there was aggravation in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board found that the veteran does not have tinnitus or hearing loss that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder or hearing loss in his right ear related to service. However, he was granted service connection for hearing loss in his left ear.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and denied both higher initial disability ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound residuals with Muscle Group XVIII injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and right shoulder disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link it to military service.