Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, head injury residuals, mouth and gums shrapnel wound residuals, peripheral vascular disease due to cold weather exposure, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to disease or injury that was incurred in service.,Pneumonia during service did not result in any residuals, and the current cardiomyopathy is not shown to be related to pneumonia or other event of his period of active service.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board. The most recent VA audiological examination showed Level IX hearing impairment in the right ear and Level I hearing impairment in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss of the left ear, venous insufficiency of the left leg, stomach disability (irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-esophageal reflux disease), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a nervous condition (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and a sleeping disorder).,The VA found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that none of the veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus need further examination and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in November 2000. The veteran's representative provided additional evidence since the last final denial, including a March 2002 private audiometric evaluation report, an August 2003 QTC audiometric examination report, and a January 2003 statement by Dr. P.D., which indicates that the current hearing loss may be related to service exposure.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, right knee arthritis, and arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied. The VA found that his right ear hearing acuity was designated as Level I hearing loss, while his left ear hearing loss was also designated as Level I. For his right knee arthritis, he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or x-ray findings. His arthritis of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation either.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher initial rating, as it is currently rated at zero percent (non-compensable).

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or a link between current tinnitus and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of onset during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss and related tinnitus were more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including any in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and notification of the claim requirements.

The Board denied service connection for CREST syndrome and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.