Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeals were denied as new and material evidence was received for some claims, but no effective date adjustments were granted due to the nature of the appeal. The Veteran's conditions continue to be rated based on existing evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for cholecystectomy syndrome with GERD and diarrhea. The claim for tinnitus was also granted. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Veteran's initial hearing loss disability was granted but assigned a non-compensable evaluation. For lumbosacral strain, the Veteran did not meet criteria for an increased rating prior to September 26, 2003 and after that date, she also did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, kidney disorder, skin disorder, residuals of hiatal hernia, essential tremors, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lower back condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence showing that entitlement arose prior to May 10, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including providing Dingess/Hartman notice and developing evidence about the alleged acoustic trauma in service. A VA examination is also needed to determine if the Veteran currently has hearing loss or tinnitus and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as the evidence did not show a relationship to active service. The claim for dermatitis was also denied due to lack of sufficient disability coverage under VA rating criteria. The Veteran's right hip condition and major depressive disorder were evaluated but no compensable ratings were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in January 1990, and while he submitted additional VA treatment records and a second VA compensation examination report since then, these documents do not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from the effective date of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right tibial osteoid osteoma. The remaining claims, including those for secondary service connection and increased rating, are referred back to the RO for further action.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiometric examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and issuing a statement of the case on the issue of separate compensable ratings for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.