Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing closer to his home. The appeal will be handled by the RO and scheduled for a new hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was permanently aggravated by service, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hearing loss disability on the left ear and tinnitus are not service-connected due to clear and unmistakable evidence showing a pre-existing condition prior to service entrance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20% prior to June 4, 2009 and increased to 30% effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for loss of taste, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active service and may not be presumed due to exposure to noise. The evidence did not establish a current disability, nor could it link the Veteran's current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nasopharyngeal carcinoma is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and his bilateral hearing loss is a result of treatment for his nasopharyngeal cancer. Therefore, both conditions are granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be more than level IV in the right ear and level I in the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that further investigation and examination are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lumbar strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, chloracne, and tinea cruris (jungle rot) were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as evidenced by a VA audiologist's opinion. The current conditions are attributed to aging rather than service exposure.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiologist examination and additional development of the Veteran's VA treatment records.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 25, 1980 for service connection and remanded his claim for a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher disability rating, as his pure tone thresholds were within normal limits or below 55 decibels at each of the specified frequencies in either ear. Therefore, he was denied an initial compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 25, 2008 for a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.