Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is not a preponderance of evidence to support these claims. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in July 1991 and reopened based on new evidence submitted since then.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for skin disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or exposure to hazardous environments. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes was not addressed in a de novo decision as required by law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the preponderance of the evidence shows that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left foot drop with hyperreflexia and ankle clonus, shell fragment wounds of the left thigh, bilateral tinnitus, shell fragment wounds of the left anterior chest, shell fragment wound of the right elbow, and right ear hearing loss, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. Similarly, the Veteran's tinnitus is also found to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is incurred in service, and his bilateral hearing loss may be related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no competent medical basis to support a relationship between his current hearing loss and his period of military service.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss in both ears was aggravated by service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development of his claims, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and ensuring proper VCAA notice has been provided.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and insufficient post-service medical evidence to establish a nexus between current bilateral hearing loss and active duty. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service were deemed less credible due to the long period without documented complaints.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not associated with his active military service, and the claim for service connection is denied.