Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and his claims for hearing loss, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease are denied as they are not related to service. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of PTSD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ulcers, and tinnitus. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cystic acne was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence to support a finding of noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his active service, thus denying both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that none of the service-connected conditions contributed to the veteran's cause of death, which was due to complications following mitral valve replacement surgery.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss can be attributed to service, while his right ear hearing loss is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service. The only competent clinical opinion on file is against a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service, including while performing active and inactive duty for training in the Reserve and National Guard. As a result, the claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have verified active duty service and therefore cannot establish a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for the veteran's claimed disabilities, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between any current disability and his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right rotator cuff tear, hearing loss, tinnitus, and secretory otitis media as they were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability did not warrant a higher rating based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.