Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for hypoglycemia, varicose veins, TMJ disability, and hearing loss. Service connection was granted for fibromyalgia, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and arthritis of multiple joints.

The Board found that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. For bilateral hearing loss disability, the Board noted a gap of 34 years between separation from service and the filing of the claim, which is more probative than the Veteran's statements regarding onset and continuity.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service and denied the claim for service connection as there is not a link between current bilateral hearing loss and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected deviated septum and bilateral hearing loss do not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending and his claims for back spasm and residuals of cold weather injury, both feet have been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current evidence of these conditions as defined by VA standards. The Veteran was not granted presumptive service connection due to lack of a qualifying exposure basis.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disability. The Board denied both the cause of death and DIC claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or any link to service. The Veteran's hearing was normal during his periods of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, including noise exposure from working as an aircraft mechanic.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and morning reports from the Veteran's ACDUTRA period. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear was denied by the Board. The Veteran currently exhibits no more than Level VI hearing impairment in his service-connected right ear, which is commensurate with the noncompensable evaluation currently in effect.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, right eye disability, gastrointestinal condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, short-term memory loss, and visual floaters as due to undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the December 1996 denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date of service connection for this condition was set at March 4, 2005. The Veteran's claim for a prior effective date was also denied.