Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be attributable to his active duty service. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's single service-connected disability of bilateral hearing loss, rated at 60 percent disabling, does not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a residual scar of the right eyebrow, headaches, hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability of the right ear within the meaning of VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claim for sinusitis was also denied as there is no evidence to support its current existence or relationship to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than auditory acuity level II in the right ear and VII in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The Board denied his claim for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 80 percent for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The current evaluation is 80 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in or were caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his depression associated with high frequency, sensorineural bilateral hearing loss is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not granted higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and is now pending further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by Level II hearing acuity, bilaterally. The criteria for an initial compensable evaluation are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected synovitis of the left hand and fifth finger is rated as noncompensable under DC 5156, which rates amputation of the little finger without metacarpal resection. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,There is no medical evidence linking bilateral hearing loss to service or any other in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's first reported onset of bilateral hearing loss occurred approximately 24 years after his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not service-connected, and his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and to schedule the Veteran for an additional VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, osteoporosis, bilateral heel spurs, a skin disorder (rash), and peripheral neuropathy were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA criteria for disability.

The Veteran is granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for low back disorder and facial pain (manifested by).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder. The decision found that his current conditions are not related to his active service or any aspect thereof.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, or right leg disorder for VA purposes. As such, service connection is denied for all claims.