Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension was not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a contemporaneous VA audiological evaluation to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against assigning a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on the most recent VA audiological examination results.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of tinnitus is December 2, 2005, based on the submission of a private audiological report from Dr. Fliegelman.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his active service. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate the degree of occupational and social impairment contemplated by these ratings.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability according to VA standards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and diabetic retinopathy, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The Veteran's current claims are based on the same factual basis as his previous denial.

The Veteran's left herniorrhaphy scar is manifested by a one by 20 centimeter painful scar and has been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The respiratory condition and psychiatric conditions are addressed separately as they may be related to service.

The Board found that the January 1971 rating decision did not contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss, considering the correct facts and correctly applying the law as it then existed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to obtain OSHA records. The AOJ will then review the case and readjudicate it.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has hearing loss and tinnitus, which are service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including from SSA and Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant's claims will be re-adjudicated after a new VA examination is conducted.