Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear evaluations and the need for additional examinations. The case will be reassessed based on current disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's case is being returned to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge from the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for otitis externa of the right ear, and has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen his claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his Alzheimer's disease, preventing him from attending scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, including multiple in-service acoustic traumas and continuous post-service symptoms of hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and military service.

The veteran's increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 5, 2004.,A higher disability rating of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also granted, effective April 16, 2008.

The veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, frostbite of the feet, cold injury residuals of the hands, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional evidence collection.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold injury residuals to the lower extremities are not shown to be related to service. The Board denies all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a relationship between the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claim for service connection for ear infections remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service.