Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeals concerning higher initial ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss prior to September 25, 2007, and to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 25, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a pulmonary disability, skin cancer, or a left toe disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure or an insect incident. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's attorney is denied eligibility for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded by the July 2006 grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision also notes that an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but does not affect the denial of attorney fees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by a pure tone threshold average of 44 decibels in the right ear and 46 decibels in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's chronic paranoid schizophrenia is found to have its onset during service and granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence does not show a nexus between current hearing loss and military noise exposure. However, tinnitus was granted as secondary to acoustic trauma experienced in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, peripheral vascular disease, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss. The Board found no current disability for VA compensation purposes in these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hearing loss due to new evidence submitted. However, it is less likely than not that the veteran's current hearing loss was caused by his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected malaria and his current hearing loss disability.

The Board denied service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding that the veteran did not have a current disability during service or within one year of separation. The examiner opined that his current hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure and his current hypertension is less likely caused by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, coronary artery disease status post CABG, and bilateral tendonitis of the feet.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and hearing loss.

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

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, and therefore grants service connection for this condition with an initial noncompensable (0%) rating effective July 6, 2005.