Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his end-stage otitis media warrants a non-compensable rating. Both conditions are determined to be service-connected on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee disability were denied. The RO granted service connection for chronic cervical strain, gastrointestinal disability, and pulmonary hypertension and mitral valve regurgitation but assigned noncompensable ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his tinnitus and PTSD claims are denied. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's 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 does not have a diagnosed tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for left exotropia, non-comitant, paresis of internal and rectus muscle. The Veteran's eye disorder is considered a constitutional or developmental abnormality.

The Board has determined that the September 2002 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is final. No new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from July 31, 2008. The claim for a higher initial rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The dates are necessary to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and neck condition were incurred in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is service-connected and he was granted a non-compensable evaluation. The Veteran's elevated left hemi-diaphragm due to injured phrenic nerve disability received a non-compensable rating prior to August 12, 2008, but was denied an initial compensable evaluation after that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports the Veteran's testimony that his tinnitus began in service and has continued since.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss prior to February 3, 2006, and his initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss in excess of 10 percent as of February 3, 2006, have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, and PTSD. The claim for reopening the porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) was remanded to the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence was received since the last final denial in May 1998.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss or headaches that are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for residuals of a right ring finger injury and left ear hearing loss were denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not interfere with normal employability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The claim for anal fissure is not eligible for retroactive increase due to the severance of service connection, and his left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining Army Reserve service records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.