Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, as it was first documented after separation from service and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence that needs to be reviewed by VA.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostatitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension. The issues related to PTSD, right ankle shell fragment wound, low back strain, and left ankle shell fragment wound were also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the permanent loss of use of a hand or foot, nor does she have ankylosis of either knee and/or hip. As such, she is not eligible for assistance in acquiring an automobile with special adaptive equipment.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing was normal at service separation and did not exhibit hearing loss within one year post-service. The June 2010 VA examination concluded that his current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not related to military acoustic trauma, but rather due to non-military etiologies such as presbycusis and civilian noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a skin condition of the feet (including any due to a fungus), and service connection for glaucoma were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA audiological examination and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and for further examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of all service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating for lateral laxity of the left ankle was withdrawn prior to a decision being made. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and numbness in both hands are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a broken tooth due to lack of evidence of dental trauma during active duty. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the scheduling of his Travel Board hearing and the issuance of a statement of the case for the tinnitus claim.