Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, hemorrhoids, migraine headaches (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), and allergic rhinitis was denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability at any time during the course of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension, stroke, sexual dysfunction, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to have originated during service, while his PTSD is conceded based on the reported stressors. Service connection for all three conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically to excessive noise exposure (acoustic trauma). As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board found that there is no medical evidence linking his current right ear hearing loss to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with competent clinical evidence supporting this conclusion.

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

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiology examination and an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims due to procedural issues and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure. The issue of whether service connection can be granted remains unresolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart condition (claimed as heart attack), and arm disability (claimed as loss of use of arm).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board as his current hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for PTSD was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for PTSD based on combat experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU from October 20, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA compensation purposes and finds no link between his military service and these conditions. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, particularly from aircraft service. Therefore, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following his active duty. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not directly related to his service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as zero percent prior to January 15, 2010 and a 10 percent rating is assigned beginning January 15, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an evaluation greater than 10 percent.