Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and right ear hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. The claims are granted on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and a skin condition (claimed as ringworm) were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, a low back disability, and eye injuries. The decision found that there was no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus service connection is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol abuse are also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as bilateral total knee replacements due to osteoarthritis, was found to be both caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disability and related directly to incidents that occurred during active service. The appellant is now entitled to accrued benefits based on the pending claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic ear disorder, characterized as otitis media with residual hearing loss and dizziness. The case has been remanded to obtain additional VA records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to service, with current manifestations present. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development of evidence being required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during active service or within one year of discharge from service, and are not related to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an in-service audiological examination that purportedly shows hearing loss within the definition of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are of service origin due to exposure during combat service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, as his puretone thresholds were within the range for a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 26, 2007 is upheld. A compensable evaluation of 10 percent has been granted for the period from August 27, 2007 to the present.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss, but denied both on the merits. The Veteran's sinus problems are believed to have started in service, while his hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as some exposure to noise during active service and a finding of current hearing impairment supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was denied as service connection is decided on the merits and no new evidence reopened the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with consideration given to both in-service noise exposure and post-service occupational exposures. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the need to obtain VA treatment records from Washington State.