Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active military service, including noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran has abandoned his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to failure to respond to requests for evidence and examination within one year.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiometric examination and obtaining the Veteran's most current address to ensure he is willing to undergo testing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted service connection, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation since February 27, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim will be reconsidered based on all additional information obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant such an increase.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left knee disability, and ulcer to allow for additional development. The claims will be considered on the basis of the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate review of a private treatment report and clarification of tinnitus status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The decision also addressed a previously denied claim to reopen for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not first manifest during service and is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current ear problems and hearing loss are not related to his service, including a right ear infection in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss disability of the left ear was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and hepatitis B and C were not shown during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the overall record supports a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran and resolves all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran asserts that he has bilateral hearing loss disability related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of hearing loss during service and opined that it is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted. The claims for hiatal hernia with GERD and other conditions are being remanded as new evidence was submitted post-October 2006 SOC.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or recurrent tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral thrombophlebitis as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, mood disorder, and residuals of a broken nose.