Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 70 percent, effective February 9, 2002. The claim for an earlier effective date is granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is a medical nexus between the veteran's current hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure and for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active duty and National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and bilateral hearing loss, right ear were not supported by the evidence of record. The claim for vertigo was denied as there is no evidence showing it was present in service or related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss, right ear was also denied due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder is not related to his time in service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of tuberculosis and unspecified residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The lung disability, other than TB, and left ear hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current heart condition to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The other issues were not addressed as they were withdrawn by the appellant.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is only Level I, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for spondylosis, lumbar spine; chondromalacia, right knee with cyst; hiatal hernia; and hemorrhoids. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and denied service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability is referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions were not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, scar of the left cheek, and scar of the right breast. The claim for service connection for a chronic cardiac disorder (hypertension) is also granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 10% to noncompensable was proper based on the evidence and applicable regulations at the time.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or hepatitis C infection related to military service, and his right arm injury is not linked to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.