Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss may be due to occupational noise exposure and/or the aging process.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by an event or injury in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss and compensation under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 1151 for oral lesions, dental caries, and tooth loss are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 100 percent effective October 14, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by no worse than Level I hearing in his right ear and Level I hearing in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as the May 2006 VA examination showed he had Level III hearing impairment in his right ear and Level I hearing impairment in his left ear. For PTSD, the Veteran's disability caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks from January 15, 2004 to May 18, 2008, and since then has caused reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability from May 19, 2009 was denied. The Board found that the current rating of 10 percent adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residual schizophrenia and a compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that his disability picture did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg injury. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran receives a complete record and appropriate VA examinations in order to properly adjudicate his claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss and granted service connection. The Veteran also has been awarded service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his service and these conditions.