Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is consistent with his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not have a current disability according to VA standards. His claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and nightmares, is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss, finding that the December 1969 and June 1991 rating decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing to be rescheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot due to the higher rate set for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found that it is more likely due to age-related hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during active service, and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5003. His right ear hearing loss is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as new claims of sinusitis and epistaxis.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss in his right ear and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found no evidence of tinnitus, thus denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to service, specifically noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they are not related to his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a review of occupational audiological examination reports and an opinion from the February 2008 VA examiner regarding the relationship between his military service and current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of service department records and a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is evaluated as noncompensable under the rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, with noise exposure being the primary factor.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a hearing disability during or immediately after service. The Board found the VA examination report more probative than the private opinion.