Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right leg disability have been denied. The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further explanation regarding a treatment record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at zero percent, the lowest possible rating. His tinnitus is already rated at its maximum of ten percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since May 3, 2006. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hands was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnosis or chronicity of this condition during service or post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, a cervical spine disorder, a low back disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran was granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left distal forearm scar, and right ear hearing loss with noncompensable evaluations assigned to each.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation from March 18, 2004 onwards. The current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time during the appeal period.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal for a higher rating of his bilateral hearing loss disability, indicating satisfaction with the current noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric test results from November 2005, and further action is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the Oakland RO. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service combat noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and generalized anxiety disorder were not related to service or an incident of service origin, including in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disability and no link between military service and the condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot, inguinal hernia repair, vision loss (aggravation), and hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss of the right ear are found to be related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was previously granted, and a rating in excess of 10% prior to August 4, 2008, and in excess of 20% since that date is denied.