Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined against the veteran's claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's service medical records do not show a right ear hearing loss disability during active service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence of a nexus between a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and any incident of service, to include claimed in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. As such, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The veteran's hearing acuity is currently Level II in both ears, warranting a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board finds that the veteran does not meet criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The veteran has withdrawn all of his claims, including those for service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 20, 2005, for the award of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability. The veteran had been gainfully employed since at least November 1999 and his PTSD was productive of significant occupational impairment as reflected in his current 70% schedular evaluation.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development of evidence, including obtaining VA medical records and notifying the veteran about what evidence would be needed to reopen his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions, including arthritis of the cervical spine and hands/wrists, a right shoulder disorder, an eye disorder (including glaucoma), bilateral hearing loss, bronchiectasis, COPD with asthma, hypertension, stomach ulcers, liver sclerosis, GERD/hiatal hernia, prostate disorder, or any other condition. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a back, neck, and shoulder injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hydrocele. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and additional evidence. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent disabling, while his bilateral hearing loss remains non-compensable.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and his military service, thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus associated with his active military duty. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted at a 10 percent level, effective from March 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the submission of new evidence by the veteran, including a list of doctors who have provided treatment and a consent form. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records from the VAMC in Atlanta and any other facility identified by the veteran or in VA records at which treatment has been provided.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his active military service.