Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service.,Non-service-connected pension is denied due to the Veteran's annualized countable income exceeding the maximum limit for pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, or right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show any level of hearing acuity that warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot and forearm disabilities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability by VA standards and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's appeal in regard to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has ordered a new VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss found, including consideration of any upward shift in tested thresholds in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as the RO had already made a final decision on his initial claim, and he did not file another claim before April 9, 2003.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to age-related changes rather than service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, residuals of frostbite of the feet, and nasal fracture are all found to be due to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to evaluate the impact of his right ear hearing loss disability on his daily and vocational pursuits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.