Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and in-service noise exposure.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric results consistently reflect Level I hearing in both ears.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to active service. The Board also found no aggravation of a pre-existing condition during reserve duty, and concluded that direct service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by the lack of in-service complaints or diagnoses and normal audiometric results during service. The current conditions are more likely due to post-service noise exposure and other factors.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. His bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's pes planus, back disorder, major depression, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and dependency allowance were denied, while his claim for an increased rating for PTSD was partially granted. The effective date of the PTSD disability rating remains pending.

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

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his service, including exposure to noise trauma. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's perforated tympanic membrane and resultant conductive hearing loss in the left ear are found to be not reasonably foreseeable outcomes of VA medical treatment, warranting compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of objective evidence of limitation of motion or instability.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss disability or dental condition due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The claims are inextricably intertwined as they both relate to service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to May 29, 2008. Since then, the disability has been rated at 10 percent effective May 29, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to May 29, 2008 and denied his claim for increased ratings since that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is no evidence of tinnitus during or after service, so service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the other service-connected conditions have not resulted in a higher rating.