Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for a powered mobility device, such as a powered wheelchair or scooter, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a fracture of the right middle finger resulting in ankylosis of multiple fingers, cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease, scars from facial injuries, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His combined disability rating is 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected lumbar disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that there is no relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset in service, but are related to his military service due to exposure to acoustic trauma. The claims were granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic discharge and itching from the right mastoid cavity and chronic tearing of the right eye, both related to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of removal of a schwannoma of the seventh facial nerve.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and its effects on occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to naval gunfire during a transoceanic crossing in 1946. The Veteran's symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus have been continuous since discharge from service.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not granted service connection, and the initial disability evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be related to his military service, and the VA examinations did not support a finding that his PTSD symptoms were aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right hip strain, chondromalacia of the left and right knee, and residual scar are all denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service and the conditions are more likely related to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a chronic low back disability, cyst, left kidney, temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ) to include as secondary to PTSD, tinnitus, or hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service treatment records and the need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his service.