Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a higher rating for his seizure disability. The evidence did not establish a medical nexus between any in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss, nor was there competent evidence of a relationship between any in-service seizures and current seizure disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral high frequency hearing loss. The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. His service-connected degenerative disc disease is productive of pain on palpation and limitation of motion with no neurological deficits, abnormal lordosis, or kyphosis. His service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss results in level II hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to the veteran's military service due to acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or since service. However, it granted service connection for hearing loss in his right ear due to aggravation by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of hearing loss during active duty and insufficient medical nexus to link current hearing loss to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The VA examinations did not provide a clear opinion on whether these conditions were caused by noise exposure in service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for high frequency hearing loss and cervical spine disability were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The veteran's only service-connected disability of bilateral hearing loss is not considered severe enough to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for missing VA medical records from various facilities. The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not due to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or degenerative joint disease of the right elbow due to military service and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 12, 2002. Service connection for pneumothorax and bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a direct link to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found no causal relationship between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, as evidenced by normal audiometric results during service and lack of treatment for hearing issues in the years following discharge. The claim is denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the December 1993 rating determinations that denied service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The decisions are considered final as the veteran did not appeal them within the required time frame. New evidence received since the denial of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, while new evidence received since the denial of service connection for tinnitus raises such a possibility.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, including exposure to noise trauma. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Board found no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Indianapolis, Indiana RO.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and compliance with VCAA requirements.