Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as he currently has level II hearing in the right ear and level I hearing in the left ear, which corresponds to noncompensable ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without showing good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure during his active duty. Regarding bilateral hearing loss, while there is no direct evidence linking it to service, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports granting service connection based on the nature and duration of his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against these claims. The Veteran's prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction were granted initial ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, and insomnia. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active duty service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's Meniere's disease appeal is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently manifested bilateral hearing loss did not have a chronic and continuous onset since service, nor is it etiologically related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of left ankle fracture with compartment syndrome was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claims for hypertension and a lower back disorder were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his exposure to noise during service, and granted service connection for this condition.