Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran claims service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, alleging exposure to noise during active duty. The Board finds the need for a VA examination to determine current diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss due to noise exposure in service and assigned a 30 percent initial rating for the service-connected left foot condition.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's account of in-service acoustic trauma and post-service symptoms is considered credible, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that his current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as his combined evaluation does not meet the threshold requirements and he is not precluded from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 6, 2005.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were generally denied. Specific issues include the denial of higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, left testicle removal, cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease and a surgical scar, residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet, right leg disorder, left upper extremity disorder, PTSD, low back disorder, dizziness, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection was granted for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and feet.

The Board has determined that the appellant's alcoholism is not service-connected due to it being a result of voluntary and willful drinking. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and ulcers were denied as well.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active military service. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss and psychiatric disability, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from his time in the U.S. Naval Reserve and at the Corpus Christi Vet Center.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a vision disability, to include senile cataracts, are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, but there is no evidence linking his tinnitus to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus to his service, and thus denied both claims.