Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with fibrosis, a right shoulder disorder, bilateral lower extremity claudication, post-traumatic stress disorder, porphyria cutanea tarda, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to address whether any of the claimed conditions are related to service or have undergone an increase in severity during active military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to obtain additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral leg disorder (venous insufficiency) and a left hand disorder (arthritis), but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, night sweats, vertigo, and elevated Cancer AG 125 results.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has no jurisdiction to consider this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of aggravation or a link to service.

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

The appeal is remanded for further development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors and exposure to cold weather, as well as a current examination for his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hepatitis C, and depression were denied as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for arthritis was also denied due to the lack of evidence linking it to his military service. For bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids, non-compensable ratings were assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for tinnitus was granted.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted a rating of 10 percent, effective November 2, 2005, based on clear and unmistakable error in the previous rating decision.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred during active service, while a bilateral knee disability and left elbow disorder were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but his right ear hearing loss claim was denied.

The Veteran's episodic vertigo causes dizziness and staggering when he walks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for numbness of the feet and toes, myoclonus, and bilateral hearing loss prior to a decision being made.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable, as the audiometric evaluations did not show a greater than Level I hearing impairment in either ear.

The Board remands the case for additional evidentiary development to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants an increased rating.