Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including an audiometric examination and obtaining outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated zero percent disabling, and the claim for a compensable rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and left ankle condition were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain myositis but not higher. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee status post meniscal repair and anterior cruciate ligament rupture, with residual pain was denied. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and right shoulder disability were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for status post repair of rotator cuff and labral tear and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder but not higher. His claim for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's service treatment records did not show hearing loss during service. Despite his assertions of in-service noise exposure, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged from the April 2006 decision.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims for hernia condition and hearing loss are pending as additional development is required.,Service records indicate possible onset of an umbilical hernia during service, but further medical examination is needed to confirm this potential relationship.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss in the left ear and pulmonary lung disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, athlete's foot, bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are all granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises while on active duty. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure caused or aggravated his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and pleural calcifications due to asbestos exposure do not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to October 3, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not occur or be aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for additional vocational rehabilitation training benefits has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is not shown to be productive of worse than level I hearing acuity in both ears, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the statutory presumption of soundness on enlistment had been rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence in both cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 1, 1975. The most recent audiometric evaluations do not show a level of hearing impairment that warrants an increased rating.