Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that an effective date of June 1, 1989 is warranted for the grant of a 10 percent rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since June 30, 2005. The VA determined that the Veteran's auditory acuity levels did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. Service connection was also not granted for diabetes mellitus as the claim is pending.

The Veteran does not have hearing impairment as defined by VA, and therefore, his claim of service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the claimed disabilities and military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and are related to his military duties. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus related to active military service or events therein, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including examinations to assess his cystic acne and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, warranting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability or any link to service.

The Board has vacated its March 24, 2009 decision due to the submission of new evidence that was not considered in the original decision. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right knee disability were denied as service connection is not warranted based on the lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity and nature.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further consideration of his claims for service connection for chronic hearing loss disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, both claims remain denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and finds that new evidence received since the October 1994 denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss, as his hearing is within normal limits according to VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied these claims. The headaches were found to be incurred in service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bipolar disorder, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.