Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and rhinosinusitis due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his attempt to reopen a previously denied skin condition claim due to Agent Orange exposure was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional information regarding his undiagnosed illness claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory insufficiency and advanced dementia. The appellant contends that his service-connected PTSD aggravated these conditions, contributing to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to February 11, 2008, and from November 26, 2008, but did meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating from February 11, 2008, to November 25, 2008.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a left ear injury, including hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left ear disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, loss of sense of smell, and a respiratory condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently manifested by audiometric findings of no worse than Level II hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a non-compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand for an examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus may have contributed to his vertigo and imbalance problems, which led to his death. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining employment physical examination records and mental health treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA PTSD examination to determine if his claimed PTSD is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as these conditions were not shown during service, within one year of discharge, and are not related to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is attributable to his military service, specifically to excessive noise exposure (acoustic trauma) during World War II. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his dermatitis with resulting alopecia and hearing loss are denied. His PTSD claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and exposure to noise during active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not related to his military service or any incident therein, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The claim for hypertension and coronary artery disease was also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA audiological examination.