Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities, including in combination, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The VA denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as his current disability level did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as new evidence suggests these conditions may be related to service.

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

The Board has determined that service connection for tinnitus is warranted as the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty and have persisted since then. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for hearing loss and anxiety disorder, NOS (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The initial ratings for stapedectomies of the right ear with dizzy spells and bilateral hearing loss remain unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and medical opinions to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, or right knee injury. However, the Veteran's residuals of a low back injury are found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's claimed right shoulder, neck, and low back disorders, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus, are not considered to be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, while his neck disorder was not present in service or until years after and is not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his disability did not warrant such a rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an increase in his bilateral hearing loss during the appeal period relevant to his claim for increased rating, and thus denied his accrued benefits claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a cold weather injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's residuals of a cold weather injury to his bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's puretone thresholds ranged between 38 and 53 in the right ear and 49 and 63 in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, which is no longer on appeal. The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active military service.

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