Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as evidenced by normal hearing at entry and discharge. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disabilities and service. However, as the evidence is in equipoise for tinnitus, it is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and a new VA audiological examination is needed to determine the extent of his condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ear hearing loss disability and concluded that the veteran's current condition is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, and tinnitus at 10 percent. The combined rating does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.,Service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation or entitlement to TDIU.

The veteran's claims were granted, with increased disability ratings assigned. Service connection was established for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disc disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO also denied his requests for higher ratings for his service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as adjustment disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was insufficient evidence to verify the claimed stressors and no causal link between current symptoms and service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to his active service. The Board found no evidence of such disabilities within one year after separation from service, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis with headaches and blurred vision disability, but denied service connection for lung condition, fibromyalgia, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the reopening of claims due to new evidence provided by the veteran.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right leg thrombophlebitis and bilateral hearing loss, were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left and right knees with a 10% rating each, tinnitus with a 10% rating, and GERD with a non-compensable rating effective October 1, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are granted. The decision is based on direct service connection as there was no evidence of aggravation or presumption applicable to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not caused or aggravated by service, and denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of hypertension, sinusitis, breathing problems, and diabetes mellitus type II on record before the Board could make a decision.