Hearing loss decisions — 2009

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

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 30 percent rating effective June 9, 2004. His bilateral hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable (10%) rating effective June 9, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is only 60 percent. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right hip disorder, and low back disorder (sciatica) have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of heat stroke and granted service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right thumb with an initial noncompensable rating, but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service records, particularly from his period of Naval Reserve service. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and take any further appropriate actions before returning the case.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The appellant-widow is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was attributed to COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran after the last Statement of the Case (SOC). The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is currently receiving a noncompensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The decision also addressed the reopening of his previously denied claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for hemorrhagic fever, vision loss of the right eye, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disorder, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbosacral strain, finding no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after separation. The examiner attributed the current conditions to occupational noise exposure in civilian life.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and a psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), finding no evidence of such conditions during or related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg condition, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, warranting service connection.