Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of a right great toe disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus in service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in 1977. The veteran's application to reopen the claim was received on September 30, 2004, and he was granted service connection effective that date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage prerequisite for a TDIU, and there is no competent medical opinion that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to his active service. His claim for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis is granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left knee disability. The evidence did not support the veteran's assertions that his current disabilities were related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore denied both his claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a right leg injury.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements, including providing Hupp compliant notice and ensuring proper development of evidence.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a back disability and reopening of the claim for service connection for hearing loss disability is not in order.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board. The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The RO denied an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, maintaining the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there is no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. The case is being remanded to determine if the veteran's current right knee disability, which may be aggravated by his service-connected left total knee replacement, was caused or worsened by that condition.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the case has been remanded due to concerns about the accuracy of his in-service noise exposure history and need for a new VA audiometric examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability within one year after separation from service, and the veteran's claim for service connection was denied as there is not sufficient medical evidence to link his current hearing loss to military service.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development.