Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss increased in severity during service and is therefore considered to be aggravated by active wartime service.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for atopic dermatitis was denied. The RO increased the disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective April 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete record, specifically missing VA treatment records prior to January 2001 and subsequent to October 27, 2009. The appellant's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial compensable disability rating for contact dermatitis were both denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA audiologist examination. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are inextricably intertwined with the adjudication of his tinnitus claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active service due to noise exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his mild degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder received a compensable rating. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is as likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim. The thyroid cancer secondary to exposure to depleted uranium was also denied as there is no evidence of radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling new VA examinations and obtaining his VA medical records from November 2009 to the present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his hearing loss in both ears and whether he has a hearing loss disability in his right ear. The RO will also obtain all relevant treatment records, including recent ones from December 2008 onwards.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability, as evaluated under the applicable VA rating schedule, warranted a 10% evaluation. The evidence did not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as there is evidence of a current disability (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss), in-service occurrence or aggravation, and a nexus between the two. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and his adjustment disorder is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The initial rating of 40 percent for cervical spondylosis with dizziness and headaches remains in effect, effective from December 22, 2002.