Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The VA has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not shown to meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown in service or until years after service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. Diabetes mellitus was first diagnosed six years after service. The claim for secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service and granted service connection for it. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and no higher initial evaluation is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. The claims for arthritis of the lumbar spine, hands, elbows, and shoulders are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during military service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of the Veteran's VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure in service and granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim was not addressed due to a lack of relevant VA treatment records.

The VA reduced the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40% to 20%, effective October 1, 2007. The reduction was based on improvement shown in his condition as evidenced by two audiometric evaluations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The Veteran's tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development due to missing records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service, and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. Tinnitus was not shown during service or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not show any hearing problems during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing acuity levels, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant an evaluation in excess of zero percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of arthritis bilateral hands, low back disorder with arthritis, peripheral neuropathy lower extremity, bilateral knee condition secondary to low back problem, and arthritis bilateral rib cage. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for oral lesions, dental caries, and tooth loss were denied due to lack of legal basis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.