Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for visual impairment, thalassemia/anemia, peripheral vascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, bilateral hearing loss disability, deviated septum, and migraine headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including any noise exposure therein. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hip disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current disability was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent evidence of current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but the RO found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the relevant time periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown by the most probative evidence of record to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to acoustic trauma sustained during his service in a field artillery unit, and thus grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if they have been chronically worsened by his service-connected septal deviation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from acute myocardial infarction. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bartter's Syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, and PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for Bartter's Syndrome.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent) under the rating schedule. The Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.