Hearing loss decisions — 2010

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically exposure to noise trauma during his military career as an aircraft mechanic. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing disability to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory and hearing loss disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to weapons fire during basic training and while serving as a military policeman. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, which constitutes a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify or assist is necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and determined that it was aggravated by his military service. The Veteran also has established service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is linked to his military noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the September 2007 VA examination report and opinion was inadequate. The Veteran served in National Guard from November 1999 to June 2006, during which time he claimed noise exposure as a crew chief of a military aircraft caused his hearing problems.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure to noise during active duty, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this evaluation is appropriate given his exceptional pattern of hearing and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including gunshot wound residuals of the left chest and PTSD. The Board finds that these conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that while he has current disabilities, there is no evidence of a relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and additional treatment records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is also granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to November 21, 2003. Therefore, an effective date earlier than November 21, 2003, for TDIU is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with evidence supporting this conclusion. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for waiver of overpayment was not timely filed, and thus denied. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to the RO.