Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and deviated nasal septum have been granted. The Veteran had normal ears at entrance to service, but developed a deviated nasal septum during active duty. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or within one year of separation, and is not presumed as an organic disease of the nervous system. Deviated nasal septum was incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of in-service noise exposure and current disability. The appeal is now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets VA criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining all VA treatment records and scheduling a new audiology examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not found to be related to service. The Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities that would qualify him for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, with all doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion based on her testimony regarding combat noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 18, 2006 until August 13, 2009 was denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a change in personnel at the RO, and the Veteran requested a hearing before a current Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate disability, and a bilateral foot disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed condition and active service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for all issues except the initial rating for PTSD, which resulted in a denial. The Veteran also withdrew his appeals on other secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence or opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to an increased rating for left eye disability. The evidence received since the 1993 RO decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot injury, skin disorder, detached retina, hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Veteran has not established new and material evidence to reopen his claims for the skin disorder or any of the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any current tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. However, due to additional evidence submitted since the last denial, the case is being remanded for further development and readjudication on its underlying merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hypertension, renal disease, and psychiatric disorder are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions were first manifested many years after service.