Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus alone are not of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg, hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for a scar of the right arm was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, while the other conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were evaluated, but the Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating than what was initially assigned. The decision denied both issues on appeal.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as his current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the specific evaluations for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's inability to attend previous hearings.

The Veteran's T2 N2B squamous cell carcinoma, base of tongue was incurred in service and granted. Bilateral hearing loss and teeth extraction were not found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claims.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for the issues of right and left eye disorders, left ear hearing loss, arthritis of all joints, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and a cyst on the left cheek prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during his period of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a grand mal convulsive disorder and epilepsy, as well as his claims for left ear hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the previous denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media have been denied as there is no evidence of active middle ear infections or suppuration, which are required for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to military noise exposure, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for a back injury, bilateral hearing loss, or an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination as ordered by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and right leg varicose veins are all granted. Bilateral hearing loss is not supported by the evidence of record as defined under VA regulations. Service connection for hemorrhoids and right leg varicose veins is established based on in-service treatment and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media have been denied as there is no evidence of active middle ear infections or suppuration, which are required for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.