Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's status-post craniotomy for a brain tumor and postoperative infections with residual seizures, headaches, asymmetrical hearing loss, left extremity paralysis, hair loss, skin damage, head lump, sutures, scars, discoloration and deformed skull was incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the appellant's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as it is unclear whether his current condition is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The examiner should consider the appellant's history and any relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and reopening a claim of chronic upper respiratory infection (sinusitis) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of a disease, injury or event in service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated at 20 percent since April 19, 2005. The VA examinations conducted have shown that the Veteran's hearing impairment is currently manifested by level VI hearing in the right ear and level V hearing in the left ear, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the medical evidence did not support a link between current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and service. As such, the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral heel spurs, and left leg disorder (to include knee) are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board, with no compensable rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, and his skin condition claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple knee replacements, render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist disability, and neck disability were all denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to exposure to acoustic trauma during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, tinnitus was not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military service, while his erectile dysfunction is not proximately due to or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. His peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was considered a complication of his diabetes mellitus. However, he did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and proper VCAA notification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and frostbite of the hands and feet was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.