Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and that his complaints of impaired hearing are not related to his military service. For tinnitus, there is no evidence demonstrating it manifested as a result of his military service.

The Board found in favor of service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge due to lack of evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Board also found no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle fracture residuals are related to his period of active service and is granting service connection for this condition. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's right hip disability is found to have onset during service and granted. The Veteran does not currently have hearing loss of the right ear or residuals of a left calf contusion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 26, 2007. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left leg burn injury and dismissed all other issues as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding elevated cholesterol. The hearing loss disability is currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of active service, while his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder) remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence shows a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including exposure to loud noises during active duty in Vietnam. As such, the claims are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his requests to reopen these claims. The Board also denied several other disability evaluation claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, including any in-service noise exposure. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disability related to service. For hepatitis B, there is no evidence of a current condition. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's current hearing loss was not caused by or a result of his time in service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss and that there is no competent medical evidence linking either condition to service.