Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with the Court's June 2004 decision, which found that VA had failed to provide proper notice. Additional development is needed for compliance with VA's duty to assist and notify.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred as a result of any established event, injury, or disease during active service. The claims for entitlement to service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since January 1972 is not new and material, and thus the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for incomplete paralysis of the left ulnar nerve was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, head pain, and breathing problem/pain in chest, to include as due to Gulf War hazard exposure were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to her claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an ear disability, including residuals of a mine explosion. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted as service connected, and his bilateral hearing loss is also granted as service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that her pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service and that she did not have a current right ear hearing loss disability. The decision also noted that there was no evidence to support her assertion that her right ear hearing loss was caused by exposure to dental equipment or firearms training.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was denied. His claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and type II diabetes mellitus were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as he currently has level I hearing in both ears.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration and clarification of his desire for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for impotence is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a penis deformity, which is required for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an increased initial or staged rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the current evaluation of 30 percent is considered adequate based on the audiological test results provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and COPD are not related to his active duty service, with the exception of a possible genetic component for hearing loss. The VA examiners found no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other factors linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection of the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his low back disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus. The appeal concerning the higher evaluation claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.