Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's audiometric testing during the appeal period showed hearing acuity of level IV for the right ear and level VII for the left ear, which meets the schedular criteria for a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for a TDIU remains unresolved.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted service connection based on evidence showing that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is causally related to his active duty service. The claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for high frequency sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision. The Board also found no evidence of a right foot disability, including toes, that was incurred during or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but his claims for tinnitus and PTSD were denied as they are not related to service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and found no basis to grant increased ratings for the other conditions. The Veteran's right thigh disability, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all rated as they currently stand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active military service, while the claims for a lung disability and an eye disability have been denied as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after service. The Board also found negative medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO continued a 30 percent rating for PTSD and assigned a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 26, 2007, and a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Nakhon Phanom Air Force Base in Thailand, and service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted based on this exposure. The other claims of service connection are not addressed as they are remanded.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as there was no significant threshold shift in hearing acuity during service and civilian noise exposure and presbycusis were likely contributory factors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not cause his death from mechanical chest compression. The appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension was granted for the initial period.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder being incurred as a result of service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture of cervical vertebrae, as he did not submit new and material evidence. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for bilateral hearing loss or degenerative disorder of the back, as there was no in-service injury and current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining records from the Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas and affording the Veteran a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under VA rating criteria. The appeal has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma.