Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than January 14, 2004 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence of a prior claim or medical treatment before this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the February 2005 VA examination report and a lack of relevant hearing test records.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine fracture at L4-L5, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of an amputation of the tip of right ring finger. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, effective April 30, 2004. The veteran's claim for earlier effective dates is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and fibromyalgia. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.,For the remaining issues, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left leg CRPS, additional medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as not incurred in or related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability is denied, as his current average pure tone decibel (dB) loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, left ankle degenerative arthrosis and necrosis, and bronchitis. The veteran's hearing loss was also rated as non-compensable.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient notice and development of evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD, finding that there was no legal merit to these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as new and material evidence was not submitted, based on the January 1997 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, and right knee disability are not related to his period of active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a bilateral foot disorder, residuals of an appendectomy, hearing loss, and vertigo, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are the result of acoustic trauma sustained during active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.