Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they otherwise related to such service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD based on in-service stressors and his current symptoms are related to these events.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but reopened the claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not found to meet VA standards, and his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The case is REMANDED for issuance of a SOC regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for tinnitus and hearing loss were denied as there is no legal basis to assign higher ratings, given the current maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the January 1999 decision. The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a right ear hearing loss disability and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss disabilities are not related to his military service.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a member of the Board at the North Little Rock, Arkansas, VA RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence from his former employer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on a confirmed in-service stressor and continuity of symptomatology. The other issues are addressed below.