Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's hypertension was not service-connected, and his PTSD, tinnitus, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and face shrapnel wound were all denied increased ratings.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for memory loss and fatigue, as well as increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left wrist disability.,Right ear hearing loss was not shown in the veteran's service records or within one year of discharge. The VA audiologist found normal right ear hearing throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and has granted a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury. The veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine are considered, along with his reported in-service injuries, leading to a finding of service connection for these conditions. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma experienced during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for chronic joint pain and a higher disability rating for hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction disorder and hearing loss in the right ear, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,The veteran's claim was not supported by competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied by the Board. The maximum schedular disability rating of 10 percent is assigned for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and clarification of the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is also pending secondary service connection claim due to tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA audiological examination, and addressing whether his current hearing loss is related to his service as a combat infantryman.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and frostbite residuals were denied as there was no current disability found to be related to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition. Hearing loss is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to noise during military service is sufficient evidence of an in-service injury. The hearing loss claim was denied as there is no medical evidence linking current hearing loss to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development, including scheduling an examination to determine the current severity of his hearing loss and providing an opinion as to its etiology. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for left axilla scar, left wrist scar, and left foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and the effective date of his 100% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is set at November 2, 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and cholesteatoma and perforated tympanic membrane of his right ear. The veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not incurred as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The evidence does not support a connection between the current disabilities and military service.