Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, effective from the date of the March 2010 Court memorandum decision.

The Veteran is seeking restoration of a 10 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to August 27, 2008. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination by an ENT specialist.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and chronic renal failure from January 5, 2005 were denied. The Veteran also requested higher initial ratings for a left total knee replacement but these issues are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, ear infections resulting in hearing loss, and emphysema are granted. The reduction of the Veteran's bladder cancer rating is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus (10%). For his bilateral hearing loss, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no provision for separate 10% evaluations for each ear. His PTSD claims were also denied with respect to the period prior to June 29, 2006 and after that date, due to lack of evidence showing symptoms warranting such high ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's benign essential tremors and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for right ear hearing loss, seborrheic keratoses of the head and back (claimed as the face), left knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. However, the claims are not granted on their merits due to lack of probative evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection was not established as the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and prostate disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including the need for VA examinations to determine the presence and likely etiology of any hearing loss and back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing disability during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of tinnitus in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no records available from the Evansville VAMC to support his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus contributed to his death from right hip fracture and congestive heart failure.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.