Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to active service and grants the claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for a psychiatric disorder or bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for her service-connected right ear hearing loss, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The RO found that none of these conditions warranted a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's hearing loss was initially rated at 40 percent from July 25, 2003, through November 30, 2007. From December 1, 2007, a rating of 20 percent has been assigned.,During the period from July 25, 2003, to November 30, 2007, the veteran's hearing loss was rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new evidence did not reopen his low back disorder claim and that he was not entitled to higher ratings for his right hand fracture or hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss or loss of eyesight to service, including noise exposure. The decision denied these claims.

The veteran's service-connected eustachian tube dysfunction of the left ear with middle ear effusion, to include left ear hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 6100. The claim for a compensable evaluation has been denied.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher initial rating of noncompensable for his bilateral hearing loss, as his current Level I hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60 percent, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for a total rating based on unemployability. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his disability alone renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, specifically noting inconsistencies in audiometric findings and lack of medical evidence linking the condition to active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The veteran's claims are now complete.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems during service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold injury residuals. The veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service exposure to noise and cold injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of acoustic trauma experienced during active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The tinnitus claim was denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The Meniere's disease and hearing loss claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and conflicting medical opinions. A VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and sensorineural hearing loss as an organic disease of the nervous system is not shown to have been manifested within one year after separation from service.