Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals, to include arthritis, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's in-service exposure or duties.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and the veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, while the claim for a right knee disability was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no competent medical evidence establishing a link between his current hearing loss and his period of active service.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, anal fissures, orchialgia of the right testicle, residuals of a right ankle sprain, and a right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for a right knee disability and hearing loss to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and perforation of the right tympanic membrane with chronic otitis media were denied, while his appeal regarding post-traumatic stress disorder was withdrawn.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence that the condition began in or was caused by his military service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim.

The appeal is remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC, for the purpose of scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on the evidence of in-service acoustic trauma and current hearing loss, despite missing service records.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied an increased rating for PTSD and a higher initial rating for the residuals of a shrapnel injury to the left ankle.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 0 percent was procedurally proper, and that a 10 percent rating is warranted as of July 1, 2007.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, while his cold injury residuals (neuropathy) were denied.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but additional development is necessary regarding the underlying service connection claims.