Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria, and the Board found that his hearing did not meet the threshold requirements for a hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and skin cancer, finding no current diagnosis of either condition. The claim for hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence of a disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for skin cancer was denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service or any other event of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure resulting in current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a low back disorder secondary to left knee degenerative joint disease, and arthritis of the right knee secondary to left knee degenerative joint disease. The evidence did not support these claims as they were determined to be either not incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as they are rated at 50% combined, and none of them individually rate at 60%. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran is unlikely to be unemployable due to his hearing loss and tinnitus alone.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his inservice acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his death while the appeal was pending before the Court.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Optical Neuritis, Bilateral Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that they are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability recognized by VA, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and the need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and increased rating for left ear hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him eligible for TDIU from August 30, 2004 to September 9, 2009 under the schedular percentage requirements. However, he was denied TDIU as his disabilities alone did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including verification of in-service noise exposure and any potential Agent Orange or other environmental exposures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the identity and etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The decision is pending further action as recommended in the remand.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but he is currently rated at 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for service connection. The numbness claims are pending and the cervical spine/lumbar spine disability remains at 10%.