Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected due to arthritis manifesting within one year of separation. The bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into service and did not worsen during active duty, meeting presumptive criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and heart disease, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for septal deviation, service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), encephalopathy (claimed as headaches and vertigo), a bilateral hearing loss disability, neck injury residuals, and a lumbar spine disability. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's tinnitus was also not related to service, as his symptoms began after discharge and he did not seek treatment until nearly 40 years later.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 20 percent rating effective July 22, 2009. The claim for service connection for left ear condition is reopened.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not reached a level that warrants a compensable rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for scars from shrapnel wounds to the back, finding that they were incurred during military service. The right shoulder, stomach, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during military service. The VA examinations conducted thus far have not adequately addressed the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted by the RO. However, due to evidence indicating possible worsening of his condition since his last VA examination in October 2009, he is being asked to provide additional information and undergo a current VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish the presence of a current disability, but acknowledges his in-service exposure to loud noises and grants service connection based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss did not have onset during active service, were not etiologically related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, with current evidence supporting this conclusion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative arthritis with impingement syndrome, finding that his current hearing loss was not related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left undescended testicle, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for a left undescended testicle. The Board also found that there is no competent medical evidence showing current diagnoses of hearing loss or tinnitus related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease of the left foot and lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease are also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions manifested in service or are related to service.

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