Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in detail, as it involves a different issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, headaches, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, hemorrhoids, digestive disorders, a tumor, facial nerve condition, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, glaucoma, and skin conditions are all granted. The basis of the presumption is exposure to herbicides during active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no competent evidence linking his current tinnitus to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient development and an inadequate VA examination. The case needs further review after obtaining additional medical records and seeking clarification from the March 2010 VA examiner regarding whether his service-connected asbestosis alone renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, finding that his current hearing loss was not related to service due to pre-existing conditions and lack of evidence of noise exposure during service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to hearing loss and arthritis pain. The Veteran was also awarded initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for certain conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence to support his claims or that his conditions were related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity neuropathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on the current state of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the onset of both conditions occurring during active duty. As a result, these claims have been granted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for clarification of periods of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed hearing loss was not incurred as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The VA medical opinions were persuasive and did not show that the current hearing loss is related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 10% to noncompensable effective November 1, 2008. His other claims for increased evaluations were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be rescheduled for the next available hearing date at the same facility.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of functional effects.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rheumatic fever with heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is granted.