Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied, but some issues have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The decision is mixed as it grants some aspects of the claims while denying others.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for fee basis outpatient psychological services, finding that a geographically accessible VA facility is capable of providing the required psychiatric services.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right thumb strain, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his March 29, 2005 claim represents the earliest possible effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder disorder and hearing loss. The evidence submitted does not show that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has not decided whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and malaria was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for these conditions during the specified periods.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prior to a decision being made by the Board.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to service-connected labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease.

The Board has ordered a remand to further develop the claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to February 14, 2008 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous examination reports and a need for further development, including an opinion on whether hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service.

The Board finds that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by acoustic trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his noise exposure during active duty and his service in the Reserves. The Board finds that service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his service, with exposure to noise from aircraft. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied on the merits. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for amputation of toes of the right foot was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss or tinnitus, as well as any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his hearing loss is not due to in-service noise exposure and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.