Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 50 percent for sinusitis, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current bilateral hearing loss to service or service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are secondary to his service-connected chronic otitis media. The evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact needed to substantiate these claims.

The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability have been met, and therefore grants the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and arthritis of the knees, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hyperparathyroidism, and pancreatitis. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination in each of these areas.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, which may be related to noise exposure during service or post-service. The case will be remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensably disabling prior to June 19, 2009; 40 percent from June 19, 2009 to November 10, 2009; and 80 percent since then. The Board found the evidence insufficient for a compensable rating prior to June 19, 2009, an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent from June 19, 2009 to November 10, 2009, or an initial evaluation in excess of 80 percent since November 10, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability according to VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service. The current VA examiner's opinion was based on an erroneous premise and did not account for other factors such as the veteran's denial of post-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to aging and possible noise exposure after service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to February 22, 2008. Starting from February 22, 2008, his hearing acuity is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as additional development of VA treatment records from 2003 and from the Encinitas Hearing Center dating back to 1992 is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO also denied the claim for a total disability rating based on individual employment (TDIU).

The Board found that the September 1999 rating decision denying reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous based on the evidence then of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his alleged in-service noise exposure. The Veteran will need to provide additional information or evidence, and VA will obtain any outstanding records that may be relevant.