Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show that his hearing loss warranted a higher schedular rating, and there were no exceptional circumstances indicating that the regular schedular standards are inadequate to evaluate his disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent since October 6, 2008. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran had moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally and difficulty hearing on the phone.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, as these records may contain relevant information for the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of the Veteran's reports regarding hearing loss in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the onset of his hearing loss during or as a result of military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and erosive gastritis were granted service connection. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ventral hernia repair scar, leaving only the issue of PTSD with a 50% evaluation still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more current VA audiometric examination and discussion of functional effects on employment.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus found to be present. The Veteran's claims for service connection will then be readjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements. The Board also found that a VA examination is not required in this case due to the lack of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a cervical spine injury, asthmatic bronchitis, and bipolar disorder (claimed as a nervous condition) have been denied. The applications to reopen the claims for residuals of a cervical spine injury and asthmatic bronchitis were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.