Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of current right hand disability, right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, or tinnitus related to active service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and epidermophytosis) do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not appropriate based on recent audiometric evaluations showing improved hearing.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service or during the first post-service year, and denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury. The Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his service, and thus service connection was also denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there is no evidence it became manifest in service. Bilateral hearing loss was noted on entry but did not increase during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, meet the criteria for a TDIU effective September 17, 2009. The claim is remanded to consider entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and was not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss could not be granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated at a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, lung condition, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), right shoulder arthritis, left hand arthritis, bilateral wrist arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis have been denied. The denial is based on the lack of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating for hearing loss or tinnitus, and did not establish service connection for PTSD, schizophrenia, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, or Meniere's disease.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured ear drum, but denied the merits of the claim on a de novo basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with a 30% rating, and his left ankle fracture was rated at 10%. No effective date is provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations and verification of stressor events.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, back disability, neck disability, and residuals of right ankle sprain have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability benefits information.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss from January 20, 2006 to September 30, 2008.,An increased evaluation of more than 10 percent for the period beginning October 1, 2008 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is granted a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision. The issue of entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities remains pending.