Hearing loss decisions — 2008

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

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss did not warrant a higher disability rating, as his symptoms were consistent with the current 10% evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury, tinnitus, and COPD. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right eye vision loss was also denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher disability rating, as it is currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by or aggravated by noise exposure in service, including National Guard service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits on account of his spouse. The veteran's current hearing loss was not shown to be related to his military service, and the RO found that proof of dependency did not meet the one-year deadline.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is at level III in both ears.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may a sensorineural hearing loss be presumed to have been so incurred. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no objective evidence of chronic symptoms of hearing loss for 50 years following service separation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective as of November 30, 2005. The initial evaluation was granted based on the criteria set forth in Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, or sinusitis and denied all three claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not attributable to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and reviewing all pertinent medical records.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss in the left ear and chronic otitis media in the right ear were denied. Service connection was granted for chronic otitis media, but not for hearing loss in the left ear. The veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating or special monthly compensation based on deafness.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and arthritis (excluding the right knee) as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure.