Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and residuals from a shell fragment wound to the left eye, finding that the evidence does not support higher evaluations based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was denied a compensable rating, and his claims for right ankle and left knee conditions were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that there was no evidence showing a current disability or any link between his military service and his claimed condition.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 20, 2001 for both the service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disorder, and nail fungus. The VA examiner found no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or tinnitus, and opined that any current tinnitus is not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss on a direct basis and has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's low back and right ankle disabilities, as well as TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss in the right ear and increased initial ratings for service-connected residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right upper extremity, including scar, ulnar fracture, and muscle disability were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his service, with conflicting medical evidence suggesting different outcomes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is likely caused by his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability and for a lung disability. The case is being remanded to evaluate the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his military service, with sufficient evidence supporting these claims. The Veteran's current conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current medical opinions are not based on consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic vaginitis, and a skin condition (acne), finding no current disability in any of these areas.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not warrant an initial compensable evaluation since the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inability to locate his service medical records and personnel records, which could not be found in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center. The VA examiner was unable to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by military service without resorting to speculation.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher evaluation than 30 percent, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing loss or any other specific rating under the applicable diagnostic code.