Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes or that either condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric evaluations did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened based on new and material evidence, but the Board found that his current tinnitus is not related to service. The Board also determined that there is no evidence supporting a conclusion that the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to service.

The veteran's claims to reopen service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied due to the need for additional development, including VCAA notice consistent with Kent v. Nicholson.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, a back disability, hepatitis C, chronic disability manifested by blood in the urine, bladder cancer, and melanoma were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while the claims for depression, anxiety, hearing loss, hypertension, sleep disorder, and skin disorder remain pending further development.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post fusion, was found to be service-connected. However, he does not have a right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence that his current hearing loss was related to active military service, nor did it show that sensorineural hearing loss manifested within one year of discharge.

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

The appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and an opinion on whether his inner ear condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for otitis externa, residuals of a right jaw fracture, and hypertension. The claim to reopen for adenoma of the thyroid gland was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for tinnitus and a vision disability.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded it for a new VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to the exposure to acoustic trauma during his combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss, effective October 20, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not undergo any increase in disability during his service and thus, was not aggravated therein. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied.