Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss of the left ear, as well as the claim for an increased rating for hearing loss of the right ear. The evidence received did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, thus denying all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, but service connection remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and vision loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the Veteran did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's hallux valgus of both feet, finding that it is likely due to recurrent foot trauma during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The VA medical examination provided adequate evidence to determine that the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss, but there is no competent evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or related to his active service, and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, residuals of heat exhaustion, and hearing loss. The Veteran did not have these conditions incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during service and now has a current disability of tinnitus, warranting service connection. The hearing loss issue is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been due to exposure to noise during service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of a right ankle strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain additional medical opinions to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be aggravated during service, and his congenital lumbar spine disorder with sacralization of L-5 was presumed to have existed prior to service. However, the thoracic and lumbar spine disorder is not considered to be related to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and time frame.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these issues at the September 2009 Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for vision impairment, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The AMC is instructed to clarify his National Guard service dates, arrange for medical examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

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