Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is not at a level of severity warranting a compensable disability evaluation. The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a current evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied. The RO reduced the prior 10 percent evaluation to zero percent effective August 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's contentions have been considered but do not meet the burden of proof for establishing service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin tumors, and post-operative stomach cancer due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a left knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, left hand disability, cold weather injury of both hands, right wrist disability, and right ankle disability were denied as there is no evidence to support the assertions that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not show a current disability or establish a medical nexus between active duty service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria has been denied as there is no evidence of malaria in or after service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, to include residuals of pneumonia, is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim. The Veteran's current lung disability (COPD) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. For his bilateral hearing loss claim, the VA has not received sufficient medical evidence to determine if a current disability exists.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left ear hearing loss warranted a noncompensable rating. The Veteran also withdrew his appeal regarding mandibular prognathia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of surgical removal of an epidermoid cyst. The Veteran does not have a current disability for hearing loss as defined by VA, while he is found to have residuals of surgical removal of an epidermoid cyst related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and verifying service periods. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear otitis media, and psychiatric disorders are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, specifically due to noise exposure during military training. As such, these conditions have been granted as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiometric examination and obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically due to noise exposure during service. The decision grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, have not been met. The evidence does not establish a preexisting condition in either case, nor is there clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption of soundness at entry into service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for alopecia universalis was granted with a 10% rating effective from December 2005.

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

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30% to 10% was not proper, and restored the original 30% rating effective April 1, 2007.