Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service-connected Meniere's Syndrome, which began in 1957. The Veteran's hearing problems have worsened over time, with significant improvement noted after he left military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective October 1, 2008.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the glaucoma claim, and determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and he was granted a disability rating of 40 percent for his bilateral hearing loss prior to August 12, 2004. The case remains pending for further review regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, finding that his current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely due to acoustic trauma during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, vertigo, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis due to insufficient evidence. The claim of entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a keloid scar of the mid-chest is denied as there is no medical nexus indicating causation with service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not compensable, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for tinnitus is denied as there was no prior claim or intent to file one before May 3, 1995.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as it resulted in noncompensable disability ratings under VA criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD (secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis of the right maxillary were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and eye disorders (diagnosed as age-related macular degeneration, posterior vitreous detachment, and incipient cataracts) were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation from active duty, and the earliest medical evidence of these conditions is dated many years post-service.