Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure and the medical opinion does not establish a link between current hearing loss and service.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the exact date of the Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including a medical examination or opinion if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss of the left ear and numbness of the right foot and toes were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are not rated higher than the current evaluations due to the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim to reopen a right knee disorder was also denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal for his claims of service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, as well as an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament repair and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, left wrist. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and testicular cancer. The Veteran did not have these conditions attributable to his military service.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and for consideration of the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for scars, residuals of Ewing's sarcoma, left lower extremity was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical development, including a VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear. The Veteran is being requested to provide medical records from any providers who have treated him for his purported right ear disability, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if he currently suffers from hearing loss in the right ear.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and a higher than 20 percent rating from March 9, 2007, was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, post tubulovillous adenoma polyp excision, glaucoma, and bronchitis. The claims were dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's cause of death, congestive heart failure, is found to be related to his service-connected arthritis. The appellant does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders present (including PTSD) and a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right ear hearing loss. The issues on appeal are whether service connection should be granted for hearing loss in the right ear and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus. The claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. New and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.