Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent, as the symptoms were found to be manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic hearing disorder in service, no identified symptomatology for several decades after discharge, and no medical nexus between the veteran's current complaints and active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after discharge, and the current hearing loss was not related to active duty.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss was granted service connection, while the issue of a bilateral eye disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, reopening of the claim for bilateral hearing loss, and increased rating for residuals of a broken left hand were denied as there was no credible evidence supporting an in-service stressor for PTSD, no new material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, and the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death prior to the Board's decision.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for spina bifida and a right knee disability (degenerative joint disease, right knee) were denied. The claim for tinea pedis was granted at 10%, while the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee limitation of flexion were all denied.

The veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but not for hearing loss, a left knee disorder, or subcutaneous lumps. The claims for chronic prostatitis and urinary disorder were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and no competent medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of hearing loss within one year of service separation and no evidence that it was caused by an in-service event.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer and a Travel Board hearing.

The Board remands the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD for further development, as well as the claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and left ear due to new evidence being received.

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

The veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder, claimed as bleeding gums, was denied because periodontal disease is not a compensable condition.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain is rated at 20 percent, while the other conditions remain non-compensable.