Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence showing a material change in his hearing acuity that would warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, PTSD, and residuals of shrapnel wounds to the left upper thigh, substantially or materially contributed to his death from an automobile accident.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for balanitis of the penis and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. For the period from November 14, 2002 to March 17, 2009, his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent. For the period beginning on and after March 18, 2009, his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during his military service, including while serving in the National Guard. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury and right ear hearing loss were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions, nor sufficient in-service evidence to support the claimed incidents.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss related to the Veteran's military service or any incident therein, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The respiratory disorder was not related to his service and he died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not experience an in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or etiology related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, musculoskeletal disability, and gastrointestinal disability were denied. The appeal is remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants an initial 20 percent disability evaluation, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine whether he has current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and chronic skin disorder (including chloracne) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing impairment and/or tinnitus, as well as its relationship to active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board is remanding the claims to the RO for further development and consideration due to the need for proper VCAA notice, additional medical opinion regarding tinnitus etiology, and other procedural steps.