Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for asthma, chronic sinusitis, and hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while the claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied. The decision did not address service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. As such, the claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it is currently rated at Level I.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiological evaluation and further consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for a low back disorder and an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence that was not initially considered by the RO. The case will be reviewed again and a supplemental statement of the case will be provided if necessary.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right eye injury, bilateral defective vision, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been granted. The conditions are presumed to be related to military service due to the Gulf War presumption.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder tendonitis, depressive disorder, cervical spondylosis, lumbar degenerative discs, a left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a left pelvic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinus residuals of a rhinoplasty and septoplasty, a left foot disorder, hypertension, genitourinary (urethral) disorder, and rosacea on the nose, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 1, 2001. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for TDIU throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or sufficient medical nexus to establish service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his exposure to loud noise in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or initial manifestation within a year of separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to appear for VA examinations and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to determine the current severity of the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased initial disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent or credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for PTSD is pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level II hearing acuity in both ears. The appeal has been denied.