Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of reopening a tinnitus service connection is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if tinnitus exists and whether it is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for service connection purposes related to bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus. The VA examiner found no evidence of in-service noise exposure, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings in service records regarding hearing loss and tinnitus. Clarification is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was not granted. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. He currently has bilateral hearing loss which was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active service. He currently has tinnitus which was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not shown to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus related to service exposure. The Veteran also needs an examination to assess the etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, and asbestos exposure were all found to be service-connected for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to clarify his representation and hearing requests. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss and PTSD are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a left ear hearing disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not present an unusual disability picture that renders application of the regular rating schedule provisions impracticable. The Board found no basis for referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year postservice. The claim for service connection is denied.