Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ear hearing loss disabilities, finding that the appellant's hearing did not meet VA's disability criteria at separation from active service. The Board also found no medical evidence attributing any current hearing loss to hyperbaric chamber training in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted prior to November 7, 2009. His puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores in both ears were within normal limits or slightly above them.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues except PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for either automobile and adaptive equipment or specially adapted housing assistance.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her active duty service for asthma, cervical spine disorder, and acute bronchitis. The Board also noted that there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current disability related to exposure to aircraft noise during service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is denied as he did not meet the schedular threshold and his unemployability was due to factors other than his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's character of discharge is found to be honorable for VA purposes, and he is granted service connection for PTSD. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The claim for migraine headaches remains pending as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss effective June 13, 2006. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in July 1987 and reopened on June 13, 2006.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was aggravated in service or within the first post-service year. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and its impact on his daily activities. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Veteran's death from terminal pneumonia was caused by heart disease, which developed as a result of his service-connected depression. The Board finds that the Veteran's death meets the criteria for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and malignant melanoma of the right lung as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, melanoma and skin cancer of the neck and right cheek, atrial fibrillation, sterility, bilateral hearing loss, and nose disability have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the threshold service eligibility requirements. The Board found that his military service does not qualify him for VA pension benefits.