Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since March 29, 2001. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus has been set to March 29, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's low back disability has been granted a 20 percent evaluation since February 23, 1999.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disorder, and PTSD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish their relationship to service.

The Veteran's back disorder, heart disorder (to include hypertension), and tuberculosis were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting conditions existed prior to his entry into service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not result from disease or injury during service, despite his exposure to acoustic trauma. The evidence shows that his hearing loss and tinnitus were not first manifest within one year following his separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation at any time during the rating period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss disability in either ear and his diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no legal basis for either claim.

The Board has established service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims were remanded due to uncertainty regarding the exact nature of the relationship between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and jungle rot/tinea pedis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. Regarding the respiratory disorder claim, an examination is needed to determine if the appellant's conditions are due to service or other factors.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, which was previously denied. The appellant's right ear hearing loss is found to have been aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be due to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoid disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder are remanded.