Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA examination records and scheduling a new one for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the functional effects of his hearing loss and whether he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to provide corrective VCAA notice and to readjudicate whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not related to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no medical evidence of these conditions until many years after service. The only competent opinion addressing the question of a nexus between current diagnoses and service weighs against the Veteran's claims.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, residuals of a fracture of the left leg, and various knee disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year post-service, and the VA audiologist's opinion that the September 2005 private audiometry was invalid. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for neuropathy is reopened but service connection is not granted due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as it was within normal limits at separation. However, due to the possibility of a traumatic brain injury and its potential impact on hearing, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the increase in left ear hearing loss during service was due to natural progression of a pre-existing condition, and less likely related to military noise exposure. For tinnitus, there is no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection for PTSD remains pending as the Veteran's claim has not been fully adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they related to any other presumptive conditions. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss within one year after separation from service. The claim for bilateral tinnitus is also denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an audiological examination to determine if his current hearing loss disability had its onset in military service or is related to claimed acoustic trauma therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus can be reasonably disassociated from his military service and is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, PTSD, hypertension, skin growths, right hand neuropathy, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, kidney stones, and vision problems. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service or exposure to herbicide agents.