Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable since January 31, 2001. The evidence does not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination of his service connected disabilities, and determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of active military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his combat noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for hearing loss and there was no medical evidence suggesting a link between current tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 30 percent effective May 17, 2005. Prior to this date, the Veteran had Level II hearing in each ear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's current diagnoses of an eye disorder, right inguinal hernia, and skin disorder are not supported by the evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disorder. The evidence submitted since the November 2000 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder are not supported by the evidence of record, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations at a correctional facility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for additional development to consider his post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lattice degeneration, right eye are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not considered to be related to his service, specifically due to the lack of evidence linking it to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are service-connected due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss. However, the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and its functional effects.