Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. However, the Board found no causal link between the current left ear hearing loss disability and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, and a foot disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was previously denied in September 2005 due to lack of evidence showing permanent hearing loss at separation from service. The Veteran's claim for hepatitis C is not supported by evidence related to active duty service or any other risk factors. The Board also found that the Veteran's foot disorder is not shown to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 50 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied. The Veteran also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities but this claim was not addressed in detail as it pertains to other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by mild sensorineural right ear hearing loss and moderate sensorineural left ear hearing loss, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 21, 2009. The Board has granted an increased rating to this level.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination, which is required by law when failure to report occurs.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including exposure to noise during military service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and declined to reopen his claim. The RO increased his rating for residuals of appendectomy with cholecystectomy from 0% to 10% effective April 14, 2005.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate disorder, skin disorder, heart disorder, and kidney disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lung condition and bilateral hearing loss were not found to be related to service.