Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of verified in-service stressors. The Veteran did not engage in combat or provide credible supporting evidence for his claimed stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded it for further development. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of hearing loss, but the cause of his hearing loss is still under review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining records from SSA, arranging for a VA audiological and urological examination, and ensuring all issues are addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current hearing disability, and his post-service treatment records do not show any complaints or findings related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current heart condition was incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran met the VA standards for these conditions during his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to his incarceration and the need for a VA audiologist to review and interpret the private audiological evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran had a current disability of bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss and subjective tinnitus, which are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as there was no evidence of such disabilities during service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are more likely related to civilian noise exposure after service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation standards.,For his low back disorder, the evidence shows that he has forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine between 60 degrees and 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not more than 235 degrees. There is no evidence of muscle spasm, guarding, localized tenderness, ankylosis, or additional functional impairment due to repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for nasopharyngeal cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected nasopharyngeal cancer. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses of hearing loss in either ear or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic cervical spine tardive dyskenisia and bilateral hearing loss due to his withdrawal of these appeals. The only remaining issue on appeal is service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify his hearing loss and arthritis diagnoses, as well as to determine the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.