Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are related to his period of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left ear hearing loss, which he claims started in service due to noise exposure. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable, and his diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent prior to April 16, 2007, and at a noncompensable rating since that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from TSA and VA audiologist evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining medical records and considering lay statements.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service acoustic trauma, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while left ear hearing loss is not considered incurred in service due to its pre-existing nature.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case must be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the VA Form 9 concerning the denial of service connection for hearing loss and PTSD was timely filed. The appeal will continue on these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during active service and is not presumed due to exposure to noise. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation, as the onset of significant hearing loss occurred 22 years after discharge from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an ear injury, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by hearing impairment corresponding to no worse than auditory acuity level V in the right ear and level IV in the left ear, resulting in a disability rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6100. The claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not considered to be related to his time in service, including any acoustic trauma he may have experienced during active duty. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss in either ear and determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to service. As a result, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a proper VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.