Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board granted service connection for keloid scars of the left arm and assigned a 10 percent rating effective April 28, 2008. The other issues were not addressed as they are no longer on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, heart disease, sleep disorder, and neuropathy of the hands were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder has been withdrawn. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 3, 2007, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability rating. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from July 3, 2007, is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring VCAA compliance.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, including his period of service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service. The evidence did not show objective evidence of significant acoustic trauma during service, nor was there any chronicity of symptoms for decades after separation.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA audiometric examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The veteran must report for this examination, or else documentation showing that notice was sent and failed to be delivered must be provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if his current hearing disability is related to his active duty service, including noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for helpless child benefits on behalf of his son due to a lack of evidence showing permanent incapacity for self-support before the age of 18.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is causally related to his current condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for hearing loss and that there was no current disability for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service in the Minnesota Air National Guard, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is likely due to noise exposure during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's employability solely based on his service-connected disabilities. The RO must obtain a medical opinion assessing whether he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating since November 1, 2002.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to August 26, 2004 and increased to 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids were also granted an increase in their ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss warrants a 30 percent rating from July 27, 2006 to March 5, 2009.