Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus was present in service and continues to persist, warranting service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded to obtain additional evidence before deciding on their merits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, further development is needed as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability in either ear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on his employability due to service-connected disabilities and considering whether he qualifies for TDIU based on the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise from radio work. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any in-service noise exposure and the Veteran's current condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and did not address his earlier effective date claim for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and finds no evidence of any in-service injury or disease resulting in such. The right hand lesion was treated during service, but there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if it persists.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability did not warrant a compensable rating prior to June 12, 2008 and does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition. The preponderance of the evidence showed that any hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disability are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a lung disorder, right ear hearing loss, and a disability characterized by dizziness and fainting have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and a sensorineural hearing loss may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.