Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be causally related to service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the definition of a VA disability. His bilateral tinnitus was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran is found to be unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with secondary major depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met since March 17, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and found that new and material evidence had been presented. The Veteran's scar on left side of his neck was not present in service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to service. The criteria for a compensable evaluation for an umbilical hernia have not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent from May 31, 2005 through December 2, 2009 and at 20 percent since December 3, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and new and material evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims for a chronic shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and deviated nasal septum.,,,,

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bronchial asthma with bronchiectasis. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss in his left ear is rated at 10 percent, and the non-service-connected right ear hearing loss results in a combined rating of 10 percent under VA regulations. The decision grants the requested increased rating.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were manifested on active duty service and have been continuously present since service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no in-service disease or injury related to these conditions. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is presumed due to his combat exposure during Vietnam War. Tinnitus is not considered a compensable disability under VA criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service treatment records and identifying any relevant medical providers.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is not new and material evidence sufficient to reopen. The decision on tinnitus was based on competent medical opinion linking it to service, while the hearing loss claim remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not attributable to his military service, particularly due to excessive noise exposure (acoustic trauma), but more likely resulted from an intercurrent event occurring many years later.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.