Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not develop diabetes mellitus (DM) until more than one year after his discharge from service and that any currently present DM is unrelated to his active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was noted at the time of his separation examination, but no current evidence supports a finding of in-service onset or aggravation. As for the broken teeth numbered 8 and 9, the Board finds further development is needed as the Veteran has not been provided with an appropriate VA dental examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current impairment.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED to allow for this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or a link to military service. The claim for PTSD was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown during active duty service, within one year of active duty service, or for many years after active duty service. Therefore, the claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the need to obtain recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss was denied. The RO also denied service connection for PTSD, but granted the Veteran new evidence to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service or any service-connected conditions. The right knee claim is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective September 28, 2007. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no medical nexus between his current hearing disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right-sided hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. For his knee disabilities, the Board has determined that separate ratings of 10 percent are warranted for instability in both knees.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence to support the assertions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to determine if they preclude all forms of gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records, including private treatment records.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating prior to May 28, 2009. Since then, he has been assigned a 10 percent disability rating.