Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to have existed prior to his active duty service and not aggravated by it. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myopia, exposure to TB (positive test), and hearing loss have been denied as there is no current disability or evidence of a disease incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his time in service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset in service, was not manifested within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, including exposure to noise from tanks and other equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely substantive appeals were filed for his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which were denied in an August 2003 rating decision. The appeal is granted on this basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his service, including in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from the effective date of service connection, April 12, 2007, is being granted.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD was granted at 30 percent, and the appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to withdrawal of the substantive appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since his last employment in 1985.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current tinnitus or hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, but have been granted as direct service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent due to severe pain and weakness. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded.

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

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric testing has not shown any worse than Level I hearing acuity in either ear.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by in-service noise exposure.