Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to service connection for residuals of cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), hypertension, coronary artery disease, disability exhibited by high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not manifest during active service or within one year of service, and are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further development of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to September 21, 2005 and a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning September 21, 2005.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable (zero percent) throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that his average pure tone threshold of 52.5 decibels and speech recognition ability of 96% do not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of exposure to noise during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depressive neurosis with schizoid tendencies and PTSD. The Veteran also received a compensable disability rating (10%) for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be granted as there is no objective evidence of complaints, findings, treatment or diagnosis for these conditions during or after his military service. The audiometric examination at service separation was essentially normal, and there is a complete absence of any objective medical or other evidence showing continuity of symptoms for over 35 years post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for a heart disability (claimed as coronary artery disease), and reopening of his claim for an inguinal hernia were all denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is a result of his period of active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss, tinnitus, lipoma of the neck, or a skin disability other than dermatophytosis that is service-connected. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus did not start during service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development of the claim is necessary before appellate review, including obtaining any relevant private medical records and conducting a new audiological examination if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and further development of evidence.