Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. After reviewing all evidence, including VA and private medical records, the Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service. The Veteran served in an active duty role as a medical specialist and legal clerk, which may have exposed him to noise during his time in the Army. However, the evidence does not show any specific incidents of acoustic trauma or treatment for hearing issues during service. As such, the Board concludes that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with an effective date of October 11, 2007. The current evaluation is 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and referring the case to the Chief Benefits Director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current hearing loss disability and tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not raise a claim for these disabilities until many years after separation from service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied reopening of the previously denied claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with a final evaluation of 40% effective July 8, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the spine, loss of teeth, functional bowel syndrome, hearing loss, sinus problems, vision problems, and depression and a personality disorder, all allegedly due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The RO found no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition effectively prevents him from ambulating without the aid of a wheelchair, which constitutes loss of use of both feet. Therefore, he is entitled to financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he does not have more than level I hearing in his left ear, and no more than level II hearing in his right ear. Therefore, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since November 23, 2009. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, left foot condition, right foot condition, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and a psychiatric disorder claimed initially as catatonic schizophrenia. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a vision disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased rating for hearing loss, and initial disability ratings for diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a valid PTSD diagnosis in conformity with DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, but denied sleep apnea. The Veteran's hypertension is not yet established as a service-connected disability.