Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including VA treatment records, personnel records, and stressor verifications. A psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the presence of PTSD and any current acquired psychiatric disorders. An appropriate VA audiological examination will also be scheduled to assess the etiology of his hearing loss. If hepatitis is confirmed, a VA examination will be arranged to evaluate its relationship with service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, which manifested during his active military service and has been continuous since. Bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus, which he contends are related to his military service. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss was less likely caused by or the result of his military service, but indicated some ambiguity regarding the origin of his tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology, and concluding that any current disabilities were less likely related to military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be a result of his in-service noise exposure, but the evidence does not establish a clear link between his in-service noise exposure and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and left arm disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current back or neck disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The effective date issue is also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for her hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and that her pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss or residuals of a right hand injury, to include arthritis of the right thumb and fingers. Service connection was also denied for cervical arthralgia and a back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including private treatment records from 2004 to 2008.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and his service-connected conditions preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service for the claimed respiratory disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty.,The Veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a torn ligament of the left knee. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including medical examinations to assess these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, denies the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus. The scars to his right lower extremity are attributed to willful misconduct and were not incurred in service.