Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that while he had sufficient left ear hearing loss to be considered a disability by VA standards, there was conflicting evidence regarding whether it was incurred in service. The right ear hearing loss claim was also denied.

The veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the RO failed to provide proper VCAA notice and is therefore remanding the case for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not occur during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred during active service and could not be presumed due to a disease or injury in service. The Board also noted that the passage of nearly 35 years between discharge from active duty and the medical documentation of his symptoms weighed against his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not occur during service and is not related to noise exposure in service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of right ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's request to withhold compensation due to his receipt of separation pay, finding that recoupment was required by law.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right ear disorder, including recurrent otitis media/externa with perforation of the eardrum and hearing loss. The maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic codes is 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service and is not related to any incident of service, including ear infections and noise exposure. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss was denied. He is currently rated at 10 percent since June 24, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current disability is due to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for macular degeneration of the left eye (claimed as residuals of a left eye injury) was not established based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a head injury, including whether these conditions are related to service or other factors.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all claims, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, adenomatous polyps, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, and a rash. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus disability is currently assigned a 10% evaluation. The veteran seeks higher evaluations for both conditions.,The RO denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for service-connected tinnitus.

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

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The case is being remanded to the RO.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection.