Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant such a rating.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not begin during his military service and is not related to noise exposure in service. The claim for joint pain was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is due to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition. However, his claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, but finds in favor of service connection for tinnitus. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence showing impairment levels warranting such a rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and left eye disability were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at an approximate balance and the appeal will be allowed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for mechanical low back pain were denied. The decision is final as the Veteran did not appeal the denial within one year.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a numeric designation greater than Level I for the right ear and Level XI for the left ear, which do not support an evaluation greater than the currently-assigned rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to November 12, 2008. As of November 12, 2008, a compensable evaluation (10%) for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left leg, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge. The Board also found that any current disabilities were not related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability due to asbestos exposure and for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss in both ears are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and service.