Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated as 30 percent disabling, the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The Board finds that his current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is manifested by no more than auditory acuity level I, resulting in a non-compensable rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service, despite a history of in-service noise exposure. The RO found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia residuals do not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to noise exposure in service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for audiogram records from the Veteran's second period of active duty service and his perforated tympanic membrane repair. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for fistulotomy residuals and a fistulotomy scar, but denied the claim for hearing loss. The Veteran is entitled to an initial noncompensable disability rating for his fistulotomy residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and back is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were partially granted. Service connection was established for PTSD with a rating of 30 percent effective from October 11, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for internal derangement of the right knee and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence to support these conditions being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not present in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to service exposure, while tinnitus was not shown to be caused by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, IBS, sinusitis, and chronic allergic rhinitis. The Veteran was not granted any disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but it remains denied as there is no indication of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military noise exposure, while there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for otitis media with hearing loss. The underlying issue of whether he incurred or aggravated a pre-existing condition during service is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her military service, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her time in active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that can be linked to his military service.