Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to his active duty service. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made on these claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left leg disability. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for a scar on the left arm was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that March 31, 2008 was the earliest possible effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current levels of impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not start during service or due to military noise exposure, and denied his claims.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new videoconference Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not occur during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of chronic right ear hearing loss prior to 2001. The Board found the etiology of the current right ear hearing loss to be more likely vascular in origin rather than noise-induced.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and hearing loss was granted. Service connection for IBS with diverticulosis was also established, with an initial evaluation of 10 percent assigned effective from August 17, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, tinnitus, and acneform, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU based on the evidence showing he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence does not support marked interference with employment due to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. Service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the Veteran's onychomycosis (fungal infection in toenails) has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.