Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, left ear, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, low back condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that pes planus was not aggravated by active service, arthritis did not have onset during service or within one year after separation, and there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service or for many years thereafter. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current left ear hearing loss, including whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of medical opinions.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not caused by his military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiners concluded that the disabilities were more likely related to occupational noise exposure post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical facility on July 12-13, 2005 due to lack of evidence showing an ongoing emergency and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing and further action. The evaluation of right ear hearing loss from November 13, 2007, and the reopening of his claim for left ear hearing loss are pending.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hearing loss and middle ear cholesteatoma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, a genitourinary disorder, and a cardiac disability as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has vacated the Board's decision and ordered a remand due to inadequate compliance with a previous Board remand. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's December 2005 appeal of his June 2004 rating decision was untimely. The claims for increased rating for right ear hearing loss and to reopen left ear hearing loss have been addressed, but denied as there is no evidence showing a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted effective November 15, 2005. The RO found that an increase in disability had not been factually ascertainable prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the criteria for entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the claim for service connection for residuals of a right forearm injury is pending due to lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right ear hearing loss and deafness, which he claims was aggravated during service. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and arranging for a VA examination.