Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) during service, including National Guard service. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined, based upon the medical and satisfactory lay evidence set forth above, that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims. The VA examinations did not show current hearing loss or tinnitus in either ear.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not become manifest in service and is not shown to be related to service. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence is against a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including audiologic and psychiatric evaluations to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. A TDIU evaluation will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the extremities was denied. The Veteran received a 70% rating for PTSD from March 23, 2005 to October 19, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for consideration of additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable in the August 2006 rating decision. The Board found that the current evaluation is adequate and denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or otherwise the result of active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to military noise exposure. The appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for PTSD will also be reviewed based on verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records to be associated with his medical and claims files. The VAMC must locate and associate all relevant evidence, including private medical opinions and denials of his request for a full-size foam mattress.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his left ear hearing loss disability is being remanded due to issues with the last known address and scheduling of a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as non-compensable throughout the rating period on appeal due to his puretone thresholds and speech discrimination results not meeting criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The RO found that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder or hearing loss of the right ear during service, and post-service medical records do not show these conditions. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.