Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the character of the appellant's discharge is not a bar to entitlement to VA benefits, and he qualifies as a Veteran for purposes of eligibility for VA benefits. The claims for service connection for various conditions are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not become manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied due to lack of a diagnosed stressor, and his depression claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's hearing loss between December 6, 2001 and April 12, 2005 did not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable disability rating at any time during the appeals period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board also found no evidence of in-service exposure to any presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the effective date is June 22, 2004. The most recent VA examination showed his hearing acuity had worsened to warrant an increased rating of 20 percent as of May 28, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened, and his PTSD was found to warrant a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his fear of hostile military activity and supported by credible supporting evidence. The other claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiologist examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence of a heart disability, seizure disorder, or respiratory condition related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to March 6, 2010 and subsequently rated at 30 percent from that date onward. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disability, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from U.S. Naval Hospital at Balboa and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left knee disorder, neck disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.