Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board denied reopening and service connection claims for hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence. The rating for the right ear was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, it was denied on the merits as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between his current hearing loss disability and his active military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran's tinnitus claim, however, cannot be granted as service connection because his statements are not credible.

The Veteran's current right bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his active duty service, and the Board finds that he should be granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus at his October 2009 Travel Board hearing, prior to the promulgation of a decision in the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC based on loss of use of one hand were granted. The effective date for the back disability was set at October 10, 1995.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's active military service and his current hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, or diabetic retinopathy. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at a combined 60 percent, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU as he does not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an extra-orbital shrapnel splinter of the left eye were denied. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation to determine if the conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of exposure to acoustic trauma during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the retrieval of missing service treatment records. The issues include claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability (including sleep apnea and/or insomnia), hemorrhoids, and diverticulitis, all potentially related to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, arthralgia of the shoulders and ankles, and stomach disorder due to a lack of current disabilities. The Veteran is also no longer entitled to service connection for bilateral ankle disorders as they were granted separately.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and sleep disorder, finding that he does not have a current disability for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service. Service connection was denied for basal cell carcinoma and osteoarthritis.