Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that an effective date of September 5, 2006 for a 40 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating. The appeal for these issues is denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed left ear hearing loss is related to his period of active service, specifically to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as new evidence was received after the statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing before an active Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent since November 15, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury. The September 2006 VA examination concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss and/or tinnitus were related to military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but were more likely caused by noise exposure during his civilian employment. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, it denied his claims for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (paranoid schizophrenia).

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. However, new evidence has been submitted that may support reopening of his claims for skin disorder, seizure disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement regarding her September 2004 denial for service connection was not timely filed, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were granted service connection, but no compensable rating was assigned for the hearing loss.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his in-service noise exposure. The evidence does not establish a chronic disability during service or within one year after separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hay fever, allergies, sinus conditions, lumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower leg, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot disorder, vertigo, headaches, psychiatric disorder, and hypertension. The Board also denied extraschedular consideration for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, a right foot disorder, and depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a material change in the disability status.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for the residuals, shrapnel wound left buttock was withdrawn. The Board finds that hearing loss in the right ear is likely related to service exposure to noise and grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for a skin disorder (psoriasis) and psoriatic arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The claim for PTSD resulted in a rating of 50 percent.