Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a jaw injury and residuals of a left shoulder injury have been denied as there is no evidence showing current disabilities or in-service injuries related to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral pes planus, claimed as fallen arches, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. The Board also found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to noise. Service connection for these conditions was therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain must be remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for specific actions, including obtaining service medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder and low back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and bilateral hearing loss is not related to service. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, a low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. However, it found that new evidence does not establish these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bronchitis, and service connection for loss of creative ability. The RO had previously granted service connection for PTSD with a 10 percent evaluation effective March 23, 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service. The claims for anterior metatarsalgia, right knee disability, and left knee disability remain pending.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for an audiology examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The case is now remanded back to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the VA examination report found no causal relationship between the current hearing loss and service.

The veteran's statutory period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31 has expired, and the criteria for extension of that period are not met.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The evidence shows that the veteran was exposed to acoustical trauma during combat operations in Korea, which is consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service. Dr. D.E.B.'s report supports a link between the current bilateral hearing impairment and this exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a broken nose, bilateral hearing loss, dental trauma, and lumbar spine disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptoms after service and concluded that any current disabilities are not related to military service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing acuity during the periods in question has been clinically shown at no greater than Level I for the right ear and Level IX for the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Therefore, an initial noncompensable evaluation was denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss is related to service or post-service noise exposure.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, otitis media (left ear), and tinnitus are currently rated at 10 percent each. The RO has granted increased disability ratings for these conditions.

The veteran's service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis B, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Hepatocellular Liver Disease secondary to Hepatitis C infection, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine and Degenerative Disc Disease C5-6 with Mild Neural Foraminal Encroachment, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were all granted. The veteran's service connection for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is pending.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right inguinal hernia are not service-connected, but he is granted a noncompensable disability rating for his right inguinal hernia.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure. Tinnitus was also service-connected based on history of noise exposure and ear infections. However, there is no evidence linking a lung disorder to asbestos exposure in service or post-service, thus denying service connection for this condition.