Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is denied as service connection has been severed. The Veteran's PTSD claim and TDIU claim are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an additional etiological examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as the previous VA examiner's opinions were insufficient.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and his military service, including in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by or aggravated by noise exposure while in the military.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as Level III, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. For his left knee disability, the Board found that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a current audiometric examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and its relation to service. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA audiological examination, and any additional records must be secured.

The Veteran's sinusitis and hearing loss were not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board finds that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their inception during active service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran received benefits for his first wife after he was divorced, resulting in an overpayment of $6,383.00 which is now considered a valid debt.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating, as it remained at Level I in both ears.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss improved slightly during his brief service and was not permanently aggravated. Therefore, the Board determined that the pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to service. The thoracic spine and hearing loss are not considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease with right ear hearing loss and tinnitus warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective from November 1, 2007. However, the Board found that the evidence does not support a higher initial rating due to lack of cerebellar gait.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, pinched nerve in left shoulder and arm, skin disability other than vitiligo, tinnitus, CAD, CVD, bilateral eye disability, peripheral neuropathy, and PVD.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, and a compensable rating (30%) was assigned effective January 22, 2008. The Board also found that the Veteran incurred tinnitus during active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss disabilities in both ears.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear acoustic neuroma and hearing loss, finding no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

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