Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a DRO hearing before his local Regional Office, and then the claim will be readjudicated.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and Crohn's disease. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is warranted due to noise exposure during service. The evidence shows a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and links this condition to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his withdrawal of the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The earlier effective date claims are denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran filed previous claims prior to May 22, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is rated at Level IV in both ears. The available schedular evaluation adequately describes his disability level and symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are etiologically related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is currently rated as noncompensable, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel right wrist, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active service, thus service connection for this condition must be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The right ear hearing loss claim was also denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus with cataracts, malaria, scrub typhus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Winston-Salem Regional Office.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is currently pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.