Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be incurred in service and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment despite his disabilities until his voluntary retirement.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to acoustic trauma sustained during military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the existence of these conditions and their relationship to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine the current severity of his posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residuals of ankle strains due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss effective from March 11, 2008. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis at L5-S1 was denied as the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to his age and other non-service-related factors.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of additional transportation costs related to the burial of her deceased husband, as he was not buried in a national cemetery or state-owned cemetery used solely for persons eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling since October 31, 2005. The claim for a compensable evaluation prior to December 7, 2005 was denied due to the noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, including combat in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his active duty. The lung condition, diagnosed as COPD, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current lung condition (COPD) to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The neuropathy of the left upper extremity was not present in service and has not been linked to service.,The Veteran's claimed neuropathy of the left upper extremity did not manifest during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional records development due to incomplete information from providers.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is granted with an effective date of October 7, 2004.

The Veteran's cause of death is related to his service-connected tuberculosis, which caused or contributed to his arteriosclerotic heart disease. The RO has requested additional medical records from the nursing home and Clinton County Hospital.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right ear perforation, to include right ear hearing loss, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's jaw disorder was incurred in active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely related to his National Guard service.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective July 9, 2008, and denied an increased rating prior to that date.