Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim to reopen the low back disorder service connection was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions until years after service. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that inservice noise exposure contributed to his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral pes planus were all denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied in November 2006. He did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year from receiving notification of the decision, and thus his appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, but the criteria for establishing entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits pursuant to Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code, have not been met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, and thus denied his claim for an increased initial disability rating.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain with spondylosis at L5 and bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain treatment records from VA facilities in Dallas, Texas, and any private medical providers who have treated the Veteran since August 2004.

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 bilateral otitis externa was incurred in active duty. The Board has also found that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for his hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral wrist and hand disability, an eating disorder, a low back disability, and a heart disability have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Veteran's right ear and left ear hearing loss were present at service entry, and the Board finds no evidence of aggravation during service. The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown in service or within a year of discharge from service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during his 14-day military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing at the RO and further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his hearing loss was no worse than Level I in both ears.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.