Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. He was also granted initial evaluations of 10 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective from January 4, 2001 (diabetes mellitus) and October 23, 2001 (peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity), respectively. The veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet VA compensation criteria and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also noted that he had heel contusions in service but no evidence of a current heel disability, and back strain in service with no current back disability.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service, and thus denied all three issues of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, right knee disorder, left arm disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The decision also noted that a claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss in his left ear and tinnitus, but granted a higher rating of 40% for gouty arthritis. The claim for service connection for hypertension was not reopened.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied as not service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability did not markedly interfere with employment to such an extent as to present an exceptional disability picture warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, a back disorder, defective hearing, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorders as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The other issues were not granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and acoustic vestibular nerve dysfunction were denied. The RO assigned the maximum schedular rating for bilateral hearing loss, but did not grant a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including a VA audiology examination to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence. The RO will then re-evaluate the claims in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to service and grants this claim. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a left knee condition. The decision on the left knee claim is final as it was not appealed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of multiple joints, and skin disease. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.