Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service connection claims have been granted for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left cheek cyst excision (residuals), eczema (dry skin), and several musculoskeletal disorders. The initial evaluations assigned are all 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that his current disability level does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 2, 2008. The Board found that the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to noise exposure during his military service. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has sufficient hearing loss to be considered an actual disability by VA standards and whether his current hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to acoustic trauma during or coincident with his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and are not shown to be unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment due solely to service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not caused by his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The decision also noted that there is no indication of tinnitus in the Veteran's service records, leading to a denial on this issue as well.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's service in the Army Reserve and obtain his complete service treatment records, including those from the Pelham Range near Anniston, Alabama. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to his military service or if any aggravation occurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss of the left ear does not warrant a compensable rating, as his most recent VA examination showed no more than Level II hearing impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and lung condition was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected residuals of trauma, thoracic spine with fractured ID thoracic vertebral bodies was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as not related to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disorder and other issues related to the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, left knee degenerative joint disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).