Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by VA medical carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault. Therefore, his claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to May 12, 2008, and in excess of 90 percent as of May 12, 2008.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the service-connected lipoma of the left buttock and bilateral hearing loss, but denied an initial compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator in the 101st Airborne.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, a disorder manifested by constipation, gout, pinched nerves (numbness of the arms, legs, and feet), and vision disorder. The Veteran did not have current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by the lack of in-service noise exposure and normal hearing at separation. The post-service medical records do not support a finding of current disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability may not be associated with his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has reopened his previously denied claim of PTSD. The decision is based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was found to have been aggravated during his military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss, given the Veteran's exposure to noise during service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The claims of service connection for arthritis, low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were not reopened. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be causally related to service exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a VA audiometric examination for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and to review additional evidence received at the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the minimum rating. The RO granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD effective October 21, 2003.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is considered to be incurred in active duty due to combat noise exposure. The Veteran also has a service-connected bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, which the Board finds more likely related to his diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction.