Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA audiological evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as his current hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Veteran's tinnitus is considered to be less likely than not related to his period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and prostate cancer as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

Your claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Your case has been remanded to schedule you for a Travel Board hearing at your local RO.

The Board has requested additional information to determine if the Veteran served in combat during service, which would allow for presumptive service connection. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has found that additional development is needed before a decision can be rendered regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to determine the exact dates of any Army National Guard service, verify all relevant records, provide proper VCAA notice, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is denied as there is no credible evidence that he suffered from this condition in service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Board acknowledges his exposure to noise during service but finds that his current hearing loss does not meet the required standards.,Regarding tinnitus, the Veteran's claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking this condition to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease and hypertension, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The Veteran was granted service connection on a secondary basis for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are of service origin due to exposure to weapons fire during his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder to include depression, or a respiratory disorder to include bronchitis and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of a 40 percent evaluation and a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since June 25, 2009. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his exposure to aircraft engine noise during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, tonsillitis or a disorder characterized by right heel pain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and Hodgkin's lymphoma are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, and assigned a 10% evaluation. The other issues were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for these benefits.