Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently manifested by no worse than level I hearing impairment in the right ear and level II hearing impairment in the left ear, which do not warrant a compensable initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep disorder, PTSD, and hearing loss in the right ear. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective July 12, 2006.

The Board found no causal link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his active military service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's audiometric configuration was not consistent with noise-induced hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional VA records and information from providers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that can account for the present disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss for VA compensation purposes, and his tinnitus started after service.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. The kidney disability claim was also denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service and post-service medical records demonstrate that his current bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service, and grants service connection for hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no legal basis to grant an effective date prior to May 15, 1990 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung/respiratory disability (including bronchitis) have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current hearing or respiratory condition attributable to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also denied for an increased rating for pes planus.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria or any link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the statutory presumption of soundness on enlistment had been rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board also found no increase in severity during active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence showing an increase in the severity of his condition from February 6, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and sleep disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for increased rating for muscle tension headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating for compensation purposes.