Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for urticaria with neurodermatitis and eczema requires additional development before it can be decided on the merits.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis remains pending as the Veteran wishes to withdraw her appeal on other issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and the Board grants this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, right ankle injury, gastrointestinal condition, non-union of the scaphoid (right wrist), right hand and finger condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and sleep apnea were all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran needs to provide medical records from all providers who have treated him for these conditions, and a VA audiological examination is necessary to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, or PTSD. The claims are denied as service connection is not granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and dizziness (Meniere's disease). The evidence now supports a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but does not support reopening the claim for dizziness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence received since the June 2001 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of the claims and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of in-service medical records, unsuccessful attempts to obtain private medical records, and incomplete VA medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional information or authorization for obtaining any relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a link to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, but the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in the rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has found that additional development of the evidence is required, including obtaining a re-enlistment examination report and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disorder. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that his current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to noise exposure during active duty, and grants service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty for training, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records, including those from the Bath VAMC. The RO will review these records and determine if they support the Veteran's claims.

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 disability. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active service.