Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, and his left ear hearing loss was aggravated by in-service acoustic trauma and airborne activity. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence submitted since the August 1955 rating decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without regard to any non-service-connected disabilities or his age, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer of the arms. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals as they have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to require assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a remand to the RO for issuance of an SOC regarding the increased rating for PTSD.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during active service due to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for this condition.

The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active service, and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection. The initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back disability, residuals of right shoulder injury, and residuals of left shoulder injury are not related to his military service.

The Board has vacated its February 2008 decision and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical nexus opinion regarding left ear hearing loss and ensuring proper VCAA notice in connection with reopening service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are not related to his active service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, bilateral elbow disabilities, DJD of hips and knees/ankles, plantar calcaneal spur, low back disability, loss of teeth, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically chronic lumbar strain with degenerative changes and PTSD. His fragment wound scar of the left arm warrants a 10 percent rating.