Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after his military service. The VA examiner opined that the more likely etiology for the Veteran's hearing loss was from industrial noise exposure rather than military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence supporting a relationship between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss in the left ear. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for cervical disc disease with headaches have been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical examination to assess the effect of his hearing loss on his occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is considered a direct result of his military service, but there is no evidence showing it manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The RO must readjudicate the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and consider the possibility of staged ratings if indicated by facts found.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for myopic astigmatism but denied it due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensably rated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, right and left ear hearing loss, a left knee disorder, arthritis of the right knee, low back disorder, allergy disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic hearing loss, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40% to noncompensable was proper and upheld the decision. The evidence showed improvement in his hearing condition, warranting a reduction.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are found to be related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on the audiometric test results provided. The initial noncompensable rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, gout, back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability (claimed as breathing problems), sleep problems, heart disability, kidney disability, and neck cancer have been denied. The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including as due to undiagnosed illness, cannot be substantiated based on the evidence of record.

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