Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left nephrolithiasis, and gastrointestinal problems including irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss at any time during the period covered by this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records and affording the Veteran with a VA audiology and dermatology examination to determine whether his current hearing loss and skin rash are related to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be the result of noise exposure during his service in the Tennessee Army National Guard (ANG). The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and denied these claims. The Board also noted that left ear hearing loss was not demonstrated during any period of service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence from any of the probative audiological examinations that would support a disability rating in excess of 30 percent at any point covered by this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a compensable disability throughout this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be related to his active duty service, and specifically denied the claim on this basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The evidence does not show a continuity of symptoms since service, nor is there any medical opinion linking these conditions to his time in active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and headaches were evaluated as noncompensable ratings. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lattice degeneration of the right eye were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service due to his own willful misconduct, and there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability or asbestosis related to military service. The claim for hepatitis C was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since the appeal period began. The VA examinations and private audiometry results do not show a worsening of his condition that would warrant a higher rating.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. You are no longer seeking this benefit.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable due to the current level of impairment not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have hearing loss as defined by VA standards, and thus denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and residuals of frozen feet were denied, and his claim for hearing loss was not granted. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her helpless as to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does she meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is allowed to that extent.