Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure coincident with his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and thus cannot establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable evaluation and increased rating for bilateral high frequency hearing loss prior to March 6, 2008, and since March 6, 2008, was denied by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any period of noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and skin condition of the right hand are related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss as it has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection in a prior decision. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is also dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder disorder was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent objective medical evidence indicating current disabilities or a relationship to service. The claim for an initial higher rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) L5-S1, postoperative disc arthroplasty was not addressed within the scope of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA medical and audiological examinations, to evaluate the Veteran's Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied because her current hearing did not meet the VA definition of disability. The Board has ordered a new VA audiological examination to determine if there is any evidence that could support her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent rating, effective as of the date of the initial August 2006 decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the unavailability of his service treatment records.

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

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the current conditions are not linked to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, while his macular degeneration of both eyes is not.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, concluding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA audiometric examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

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