Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied entitlement to service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the period prior to October 3, 2008, and in excess of 40 percent since October 3, 2008, for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, psoriasis, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a continuity of treatment or a medical nexus between his military service and these conditions.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and denied increased ratings greater than 30 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The reduction in evaluation from 60 percent to 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was properly implemented.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disorder, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic left ankle sprain, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for major depression, recurrent generalized anxiety disorder were denied. However, the claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss was granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, but denied service connection for heart disease. The claim for an initial compensable rating for a scar on the left buttocks was also denied.

The veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual rate for pension, thus he is not entitled to VA non-service connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The appeal is remanded for an additional examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and its impact on employability.

The Board grants service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, resolving doubt in the Veteran's favor based on evidence of in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is manifested by Level I hearing acuity, and a compensable evaluation for this condition has not been met.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids as the preponderance of evidence was against a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure due process.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hearing loss and situational anxiety/dysthymia, but denied service connection for hearing loss. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.