Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and blindness as there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus originated while he was serving on active duty for training and his bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to noise exposure during his active duty for training, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for tinnitus was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current tinnitus due to active military service or any other incident, nor could it be presumed as an organic disease of the nervous system.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable rating. The claim for an initial, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded to the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not etiologically related to his military service or any incident thereof, including noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder blade injury, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including benign tumors of the colon, migraines, hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disorders, and vascular diseases. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and reviewing medical records from this period. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and a low back disorder are denied, while his claim for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss is not granted. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss results in noncompensable disability ratings due to its severity.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and denied the Veteran's claim. The issue of an increased rating for injury to the ulnar nerve, palmar surface of the right hand was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to military service, resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, and hearing loss of the left ear are being remanded due to incomplete evaluations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but his respiratory disorder (claimed as residuals of asbestos exposure) is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral high frequency hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.