Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity during his active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus based on the evidence showing that these conditions are likely related to in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of the veteran's claimed hearing disability until many years after separation from service, and no medically sound basis presented attributing such disabilities to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as the competent medical evidence did not indicate that his hearing loss was related to in-service noise exposure or any other incident of military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish service connection.

The appeal was denied as the evidence did not support service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, frostbite or trench foot of both lower extremities, an eye disorder, and a duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a chip fracture of the third finger of the left hand are rated at 10 percent, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was related to noise exposure during his active duty service, and the initial rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disorder and lactose intolerance remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of an audiological examination, which did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected as secondary to his PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased initial evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, except for a 20 percent evaluation for limitation of pronation of the left (major) elbow and an increased evaluation from 10 percent to 20 percent for shell fragment wounds, right (minor) forearm.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was granted, and his disability rating for hypertension was maintained at 10 percent. The claims for an increased rating for migraine headaches and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myopia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded to the RO for further development, including an examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities and their relationship to dizziness, headaches, poor balance, and stuffy ears.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable disability rating for hiatal hernia with positional GERD.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen a claim for left wrist fracture residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his active military service.