Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and consideration of functional effects on daily activities and employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the appellant's current hearing impairment is related to his exposure to noise during active duty, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as both conditions are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is needed due to the passage of almost four years since the last examination and because the Veteran's representative alleges greater impairment than currently reflected in the rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no current diagnoses of any claimed conditions, and thus could not establish a link between military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the assigned noncompensable evaluation is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current sensorineural hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service. Service connection was denied for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was found not to warrant a compensable rating, while his right foot disorder warranted a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an outstanding DRO hearing request. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after a DRO hearing has been scheduled or if no longer requested.

The Veteran's request for a computer to assist with communication and recreational activities was granted as it is necessary to enable him to achieve maximum independence in daily living.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic right otitis media and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active military service.

The Board denied all of the Veteran's claims, including initial compensatory disability ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated at their maximum levels under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia residuals were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by level III hearing in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.