Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability claims. The RO/AMC will also attempt to verify any in-service stressors reported by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there is no current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and granted it, finding that new evidence related to the Veteran's current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder arthritis and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are due to injuries incurred during the Veteran's active service.,Service connection is established for a current diagnosis of left shoulder arthritis as it is considered direct service-connected. Right ear hearing loss is presumed due to combat in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the VA audiometric testing did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, and the current disability level is adequately described by the Rating Schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not present during service or until many years after, and is not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, specifically his period of active duty for training in 1990. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during this period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current hearing loss is causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes as defined in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining records from his Naval Reserve service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder pain, skin condition of the head and arms (including as due to herbicide exposure), hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year post-service, and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for liver disease and arthritis/gout.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims based on continuity of symptoms since service.