Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability exhibited by impaired vision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, respiratory disorder (asthma), back condition, and residuals of a stab wound of the chest. The Veteran's case will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. His PTSD and SFWs, left arm disabilities have been rated appropriately.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss, which was previously denied in March 1975. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss is considered to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability is incurred during his active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered to be directly related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. The preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss in his left ear, and therefore cannot establish service connection for residuals of trauma to the left ear. The VA audiologist found no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms related to the inservice incident.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran is now entitled to an evaluation of 30 percent for his pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and did not address the reopening of his claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder. The decision also dismissed his request to reopen his COPD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 4, 2003. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met and has granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiology examination to determine his current level of hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist fracture and service connection for a right shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and hearing loss. The decision also noted that tinnitus was not adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.