Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board found that the weight of the probative evidence is against the veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and melanoma of the left arm as they were not related to the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's tinnitus was incurred as a result of his active military service, and he is entitled to an increased rating of 20 percent for residuals, fracture, left clavicle beginning May 07, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, nor a nexus to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for a left shoulder disability, and service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the assignment of a compensable disability rating for the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board also found that the veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability, hearing loss, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left rib fracture was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, while the claims for increased ratings for Type II diabetes mellitus, chondromalacia patella of both knees, and vertigo were denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. The claims for dyspepsia and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for diabetes mellitus were remanded.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a connection between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, associated with herbicide exposure.

The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for right ankle disability from February 1, 2005 to December 4, 2006 and a noncompensable rating thereafter. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, while his hypertension was granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against granting direct or presumptive service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass were remanded for a Travel Board hearing.