Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness, and headaches are not service-connected as they were not incurred during active duty or due to a disease or injury of service origin. The VA examiner found that the current conditions do not have a direct link to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or etiological link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a hearing loss disability (as defined by VA regulations) in either ear.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to its adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by Level I hearing in the right and left ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it on the merits, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is attributable to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as these conditions are more likely related to age-related changes rather than military service. The Veteran's claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and a strain of the erector spinal muscle group of the right lumbar region, are sufficient to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus and concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's assertions regarding noise exposure during service were accepted, but his reported history of symptoms was deemed unreliable.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and arthritis of the hands, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The appeal is currently in remand status due to a lack of a scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination by a qualified medical professional.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss was not likely related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (sensorineural hearing loss, right total knee arthroplasty, and skin cancer) are found to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to have originated during his active service. The VA examiner opined that the GSW scars of the face, PTSD, and right eye residuals do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability originated during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO denied the claim because they determined that the condition neither occurred in nor was caused by service. However, an additional VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss had its onset in service or is causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA opinion on his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.