Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as his current average pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating on an extraschedular basis for his service-connected hearing loss of the right ear.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently rated at 0 percent since February 25, 2005. The Board has not found any evidence to grant a higher rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely attributable to noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice. The Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or findings regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's spouse does not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance due to her hearing loss, which prevents her from performing daily activities independently.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an eye condition, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the left ear. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and providing VCAA notification.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical center records and providing the Veteran with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to inservice noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were withdrawn. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability. The underlying merits of these issues will be addressed on remand.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded it for additional development, including a VA audiologist examination to determine if his hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right thumb proximal phalanx fracture and right first toe hallux rigidus are rated as noncompensable, the bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, and PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and tinnitus were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The appeal for PTSD was remanded for further evaluation.