Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination by an otolaryngologist to assess the bilateral perforated tympanic membrane disability and its effects on vestibular function. The case will also be reviewed for increased ratings in left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the extent and etiology of COPD, and an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board has vacated its July 13, 2010 decision denying service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a failure of due process. The Veteran's attorney waived the right to have the case remanded to the RO and requested immediate adjudication by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a back disability and prostate disability were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied prostate disability claim.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the latter being attributed to post-service occupational noise exposure. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus was related to his military service.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental condition. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA audiology examination to determine the severity of his service-connected hearing loss, and for VCAA notification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his cerebellar ataxia with left extremity tremor is related to ionizing radiation exposure during service. The claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hip disorder, femur disorder, monoclonal gammapathy, balance disorder and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board finds that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred during his active military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 6, 2008, for a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination. The claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded to determine if it is more likely than not that the Veteran's current hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with previous instructions. The case is now returned for further development.