Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss. The examiner was requested to address whether there is a likelihood that the Veteran's hearing loss in service caused his current condition, considering his history of noise exposure as a jet engine mechanic and ear trauma/infections during service.

The Board has received notifications from the Veteran requesting withdrawal of his claims for right ear hearing loss and non-malignant lipomas. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head trauma.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his active service. The evidence shows no in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiology examination to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no current disabilities for the claimed conditions and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any of these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are due to service exposure. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for alcoholic dementia, depression, lung disability (asbestos exposure), and hearing loss are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not occur during service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and found that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran now has a grant of service connection for his right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, Erectile Dysfunction, Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, and Tinnitus due to lack of credible evidence supporting in-service stressors.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, service connection for colon cancer (claimed as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation), and service connection for hernia (claimed as secondary to colon cancer) have all been denied. The evidence does not support the establishment of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of any current bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine and hearing loss, finding no medical nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from July 30, 2004 to April 8, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective April 9, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to current conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore his claim of service connection for this condition must be denied.