Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for gastroenteritis, residuals of a left ankle sprain, and bilateral hearing loss were addressed by the RO in an August 2003 rating decision, which was not appealed. As such, these decisions are final.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from January 17, 2007. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss is not related to service, citing lack of evidence of hearing loss at service separation. The case is REMANDED for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, but his claim for a bilateral knee disorder was denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, varicose veins of the right leg, hemorrhoids, and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with right arm radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely due to his documented acoustic trauma exposure during active duty. The dental disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinnitus or chip fracture of the right great toe, and there was no moderate foot disability to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with service connection established retroactively effective September 7, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including private treatment records from Dr. O'Day.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and arthritis, but denied reopening of his claim for PUD. The decision on the merits is pending.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability, service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development including verifying dates of service, obtaining outstanding service treatment records, and affording the Veteran VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not begin during service and is not related to his in-service blood pressure readings. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was also determined to be noncompensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination by an appropriate physician to assess his employability based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was denied as no current diagnosis could be established. The claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction are pending further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.