Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral vascular disease with left below-the-knee amputation and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed on the matters of initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU. The AMC must ensure all notification and development action required by VA law are fully complied with and satisfied.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to a 40 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability, effective April 25, 2003. This decision upholds the earlier assigned effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus originated during his active service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

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

The VA determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and psychiatric disability to include on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as well as his claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and herniotomy residuals. The RO found no relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits information. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination for his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the effective date prior to September 10, 2004, for tinnitus has been addressed. The Veteran's claim for a proper amount of his February 2005 VA disability compensation payment is being referred to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a back condition, as well as his claims for glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the November 2001 rating decision did not provide new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to excessive noise, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a neck condition, and headaches. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claims.