Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as defined by VA regulations. The evidence shows no proof of such disabilities at the time of the November 2006 VA audiometric examination. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the September 2007 VA audiological examination. The RO/AMC is instructed to obtain additional records, including STRs from the veteran's Army service period (November 1950-May 1951), and schedule a new VA audiological examination.

The case is being remanded for further development of the veteran's claims, including verification of his claimed stressors and a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and adjudication due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision.

The Board found no present hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Board noted that there was no corresponding hearing loss and thus could not establish a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for hearing loss and for a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The VA found that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating.

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

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and spondylosis were evaluated. The RO denied the claims for increased ratings as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus and greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and spondylosis.

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

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective April 21, 2003. Service connection for right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation for PTSD, as it did not demonstrate significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and has also determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his right ear hearing loss claim.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service combat-related acoustic trauma and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure. The claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current lung disability or hearing loss that is due to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for depression was not substantiated, as there is no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis to his military service. For the claim of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, the VA found that the criteria for an initial compensable rating were not met.