Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his bilateral hearing loss and duodenal deformity with associated hypermotility. The claims were not granted, including those seeking higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and hemorrhoids were not related to service, as there was no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not have continuing symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at a level of 20 percent for the period between April 10, 2006 and October 20, 2008. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability in the left ear as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cataracts, hearing loss, post-surgical bilateral pseudoaphakia, cystoid macular edema of the left eye, arthritis, chronic bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with noise exposure during combat. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to higher special monthly compensation, finding that his hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also found that his hearing loss is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his current level of hearing acuity is only level II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether these conditions are related to his in-service perforated ear drum or noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for a lumbar strain. The Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss, and his low back strain has been manifested by forward flexion to between 70 and 90 degrees, extension to between 10 and 30 degrees, and left and right lateral flexion and rotation all to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of head injury, residuals of leg injury, and fracture of the clavicle with arthritis were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be etiologically related by competent and credible evidence to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The October 2005 RO decision denying these claims is final.