Hearing loss decisions — 2008

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

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left total knee replacements, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in combat during his military service.,Service connection is granted for hearing loss and tinnitus, with doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination of the veteran's left leg and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus. The issues are service connection for left leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's statements indicated his intent to appeal the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and granted service connection for this condition. However, it did not assign a rating as he had already received a noncompensable (0%) evaluation in September 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection and that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or aggravation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the current evaluation of 40 percent is considered sufficient based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the veteran's service-connected condition did not meet the schedular criteria during any portion of the appeal period.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records. The examiner will assess the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a disability rating of 70 percent. The initial ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound of the right neck and upper lip remain at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or left eardrum rupture, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after service but there is insufficient evidence to establish its onset during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or hypertension to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a right leg disorder due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, these claims are denied.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition does not warrant a higher rating based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic skin disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability or left knee disability due to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus, render him unemployable due to his physical impairment.