Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is related to his military service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining more detailed information from the Veteran regarding his alleged stressors and attempting to corroborate them through unit records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and hearing loss will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the appellant is eligible for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from December 21, 2005 to December 25, 2005. However, the appellant is not eligible for reimbursement after December 26, 2005 as his condition was no longer in an emergency status.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining STRs and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at various levels prior to specific dates, and initial compensable ratings were granted for his right and left ankle sprains. Service connection is established directly without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's exposure during service and his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is rated as noncompensable, and thus he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and irritable bowel syndrome have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and his request for a hearing. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are taken.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted as incurred in service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been reduced from 40% to noncompensable, and the case is being remanded due to scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma sustained during his period of active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to new evidence received since the final denial. The Veteran testified about in-service noise exposure and a VA audiologist found current hearing loss, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not linked to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.