Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service. The evidence of record, including service treatment records and post-service medical records, does not support a finding that the current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, which may be associated with active service. Additional development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, fibromyalgia and/or chronic pain syndrome, and hepatitis C. The decision is final as it was not appealed within the allowed time period.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during military training. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not become manifest during service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is service-connected and granted compensation benefits. The claims for increased ratings for asthma, sesamoiditis, left lower lung fibrosis, and eczema are remanded due to evidence of worsening since the last examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of onset during service or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU under VA regulations. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, asthma and chronic bronchitis, and major depressive disorder are all due to conditions incurred or aggravated during her period of active service. The effective date for these determinations is June 6, 1978, one day after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss disability, as the current initial 0 percent rating does not reflect the degree of impairment.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic headaches, and coronary artery disease with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were denied. The Veteran's mood disorder claim is remanded to the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that a hearing loss disability is not shown. The claim for evaluation of residual scar, status post laceration of right middle finger remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with current evidence showing a nexus between service exposure to noise and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining verification of reserve service dates and occupational specialty, as well as obtaining any outstanding reserve treatment records. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will also require a medical opinion regarding its etiology. For the issue of an increased rating for pes planus, the Veteran has expressed disagreement with the July 2009 rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is more likely caused by a present ear condition, thus denying his claim for service connection.