Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The veteran's PTSD was granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2006, and the Board found that since July 21, 2008, his PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss based on the results of multiple VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis as not being incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The veteran's major depressive disorder was found to be manifested by no more than impairment of short-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board denied service connection for chronic otitis media with attic retraction cholesteatoma status post mastoidectomy and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a 20% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective August 7, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating beginning October 1, 2003, but not earlier. The claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2003, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD was denied.

The veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD, L5-S1 spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied increased ratings or service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tingling of fingers of the left hand, sleep disability, and varicose veins were denied as there was no evidence to support a current disability or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken jaw, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for the broken jaw, and there is no indication that any current diagnoses are related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied because he does not have a current disability, and his left ear hearing loss is not at a level of severity to warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss has been remanded to schedule a video conference hearing.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's period of active duty.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his active service, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including records from the veteran's VA and private treatment providers.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint pain, a back disorder, and other claimed conditions as the evidence did not establish that any of these disabilities were related to the veteran's military service.