Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his disability is not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service personnel records should be requested to determine his military occupational specialty and unit assignment. The claims folder was returned to the examiner for an addendum to consider the Veteran's statements and testimony regarding noise exposure, including exposure while assigned to a Weapons Company in service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing impairment warrants such an evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right foot was not granted as greater than 10 percent prior to November 18, 2009, and greater than 20 percent thereafter. Other claims for service connection or increased ratings were also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder. However, the Veteran's claims for lower jaw disability, neck disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied as there is no clear or unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including significant in-service noise exposure during combat operations in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's residuals of a pilonidal cyst are not productive of limitation of function, and he was granted an initial noncompensable evaluation. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were reopened but denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was also reopened but denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back injury, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also addressed a claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss but noted that further action was required due to incomplete information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no medical evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and treatment records review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied. The claim for residuals of injuries to the neck, low back, left arm, and left leg was granted with a specific effective date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran meets the rating criteria for a TDIU and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cold injury residuals, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease. The decision found insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.