Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises while on active duty. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure caused or aggravated his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and pleural calcifications due to asbestos exposure do not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to October 3, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not occur or be aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for additional vocational rehabilitation training benefits has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is not shown to be productive of worse than level I hearing acuity in both ears, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the statutory presumption of soundness on enlistment had been rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence in both cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 1, 1975. The most recent audiometric evaluations do not show a level of hearing impairment that warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been rated, but the appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 30 percent from August 13, 2004 to May 9, 2007 and elevated to 50 percent effective May 10, 2007. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition and left shoulder dislocation. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records and the Veteran's complete personnel file are needed to properly adjudicate his service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a cervical spine injury, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for esotropia in the left eye. However, the issue of whether this condition is related to service remains unresolved.,Regarding bilateral hearing loss, the appeal was not decided on the merits as it was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.