Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at 60 percent since April 15, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing and issuance of an SOC regarding the increased rating claim for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma he experienced during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his hypertension is denied as secondary to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for temporomanibular joint syndrome (TMJ) remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent and credible evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not attributable to military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty service or within one year of separation. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim for chronic psychiatric disability (claimed as schizophrenia).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his current hearing loss disability had its onset in service or was caused by active service. The claims for initial compensable ratings for right index finger, left ankle, and right knee disabilities are remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetic retinopathy, finding no current disability in either ear. The claim for reopening a previously denied diabetes mellitus claim was not adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not currently before the Board due to it being part of his Meniere's disease rating.

The Board has determined that the September 2005 rating decision, which assigned a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, contained clear and unmistakable error. The reduction in the evaluation to 10 percent is now considered proper.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss increased in severity during service and grants service connection for this condition. The right ear sensorineural hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.