Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with no specific reasoning provided.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have been incurred during service and is related to exposure to traumatic events in service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and VA compensation examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service and was not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The left ear hearing loss disability, demonstrated upon audiometric evaluation at entrance into service, did not increase in severity during service and is not considered aggravated. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability by VA standards and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's left thigh lipoma and right foot plantar fasciitis have been granted noncompensable evaluations. The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing autopsy reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while the claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not service-connected.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not the Veteran suffered acoustic trauma in service, leading to his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and other relevant factors, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting further examinations. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, hypertension as 10 percent disabling, right great toe disability as 10 percent disabling, and pulmonary tuberculosis as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, including noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis due to potential service connection issues, including a lack of available service records. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information about his medical history and treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing service records and new evidence.