Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 18, 2005 and a higher rating for tinnitus since that date have been denied. The maximum schedular evaluation of 10% has been assigned for his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of evidence in the original decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify stressors and obtain VA audiology examinations.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus and his service, including in-service noise exposure. The claims were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service. The claim for left knee disability is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically the noise exposure he experienced during combat duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed, including a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss disability with balance problems and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and residuals of a gunshot wound to the right knee were denied. The Veteran was not shown to have current hearing loss, and his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are caused by his active military service, with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for service connection for right pterygium, bilateral hearing loss, otitis externa, and sinusitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right and left ears, finding that there was no increase in severity of the underlying pathology during service. The Veteran's current hearing loss is considered to be a direct result of his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and denied his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and diverticulitis. The Board found that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, tinnitus had its onset in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was presented. The Board also found that these disabilities are related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and otitis media are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's high frequency sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear is not related to service, and his neuropathy of the lower extremities due to herbicide exposure remains pending. The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left leg has not been established as a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), but he claims unreimbursed medical expenses that reduce his income to an allowable rate. The case is REMANDED for clarification of medical expenses and proper accounting of income and expenses.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, status post radical prostatectomy at a 100 percent rating effective May 31, 2007.

The Board has determined that the criteria are not met for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. A preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.