Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for tinnitus has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, specifically his in-service noise exposure. The claim for hypertension was remanded and will be addressed separately.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD with hiatal hernia due to the equipoise of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, and the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and cognitive disorder were withdrawn prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more current VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have increased in severity during service, warranting service connection. However, there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to service noise exposure as a shipfitter.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of symptoms of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disorders are due to service, warranting service connection for each claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature of his hearing loss, sinusitis, headaches, and any potential secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability from a 60 percent rating to a 40 percent rating was not proper, and therefore restored the original 60 percent rating effective April 1, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied an increased rating for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to military service, while the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus (10%) is already assigned.