Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. His claims for higher initial disability rating for PTSD and TDIU were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his claims of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and DDD of the lumbar spine. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

From April 25, 2009 to October 5, 2009, the Veteran had Level VIII hearing acuity in his right ear and Level VI hearing loss in his left ear. From October 6, 2009, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it had its onset during active service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent effective September 2, 2009. His tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated as 100 percent disabling since April 1, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and PTSD. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be service-connected due to the in-service noise exposure. The Veteran has no other conditions or issues related to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, and for a TDIU were remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin in service, were not shown to be related to active duty noise exposure, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that there is no competent evidence of a medical nexus between his current bilateral hearing loss and active service. The Veteran's tinnitus was also not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently shown bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including noise exposure during active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no competent evidence linking his current tinnitus to service, and thus denied service connection for tinnitus.