Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by his time in service, and there is no evidence of it being incurred during active duty.

The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and he does not have multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities that would allow for a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to June 25, 2007, and a 10 percent rating was assigned on and after that date. Service connection for residuals of prostate cancer was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to the lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service. The claim for an earlier effective date was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was withdrawn, and the Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was denied, as well as an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board remands the claims for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and to address his claimed right ear hearing loss and upper respiratory condition.

The appeal is remanded for further development of the evidence, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying alleged in-service stressors.

The Board REMANDS the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss to the RO for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of a head injury, but denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disability, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge, and no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, a low back disorder, hemorrhoids, and gastritis was not established at the time of his death.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and current diagnoses.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the Veteran's claims.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support an increased evaluation under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the left ear as there was no current disability for VA purposes.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and a right knee condition, as the pre-existing conditions did not worsen during active duty.

The Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise with regard to their etiology.