Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated due to incomplete records and requires additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable disability rating. The RO has ordered the Veteran to be afforded a VA audiology examination and requested additional records from the Rochester, New York Outpatient Clinic and private physician Dr. J.T.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss recognized as a disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is also denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not found to meet VA standards for a disability, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found no current disabilities for the claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, right ear disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (not including PTSD), a left buttock disorder, and a left ankle disorder were denied. The Board found that credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD has not been demonstrated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability. The issues regarding the left ankle, right ulnar neuropathy, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease were also addressed but the decision does not specify whether these claims were granted or denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for chronic headaches have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during basic training. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to review the claims file for any relevant records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The issue of a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding hypertension, hearing loss, jock itch, foot fungus, and left ankle disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues. The case is being remanded for further development on diabetes mellitus, sinus disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is manifested by mild sensorineural hearing loss at 250 Hertz; within normal limits hearing sensitivity in the 500-1000 Hertz region; and, a moderate sloping to severe/profound sensorineural hearing loss in the 1500-8000 Hertz region. The criteria for a compensable initial disability rating are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further examination and consideration.