Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing as per the October 2007 Board decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and psychiatric disorders were granted, while all other claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were dismissed due to a lack of timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's tinnitus was rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating.

The veteran's bilateral tinnitus is service-connected, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss and a left knee disorder are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, respiratory cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disability manifested by colds, and a gastrointestinal condition manifested by indigestion were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions being incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) in both knees and a right hand disorder, but denied an increased rating for the status post compression fracture of T12 and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis of the left fourth finger.

The veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for residuals of spinal meningitis and hearing loss were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not warrant a designation higher than Level I under Table VI.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of current disability. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current conditions, given his reported in-service noise exposure.

The Board finds that the evidence supports entitlement to service connection for the veteran's hearing loss, which had its onset during ACDUTRA in August 1991.

The veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but does not meet the criteria for being housebound due to a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the case for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service, but his bilateral hearing loss disability was not related to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of entitlement to service connection for vertigo, to include as secondary to otitis externa.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of these conditions during service, within one year after separation from service, or that they were related to any incident in service.