Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of in-service manifestation or continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bilateral ear infections and bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his claims for hearing loss of both ears. The Veteran was granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but assigned a noncompensable rating. His diabetes mellitus with bilateral cataracts and erectile dysfunction were rated at 20 percent. Separate ratings for erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The decision found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure are credible and supported by medical evidence, leading to a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the assigned disability ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current puretone thresholds do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss prior to February 3, 2010 and since that date has been denied. The RO found no evidence of exceptional patterns or service-connected conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and updating the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure have been considered credible.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial compensable rating for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the audiometric results do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right ear hearing loss, residuals of fractured left femur, and chronic right index finger strain. The decision also granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia with a 10 percent disability rating effective from June 23, 2006.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be incurred in service, with the effective date of the grant being October 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and residuals of a shrapnel wound to the face, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.