Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that April 7, 2006 is the earliest date on which claims were filed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and right ankle sprain were denied as there are no valid audiometric or clinical findings to support a compensable evaluation for the hearing loss, and his right ankle sprain is currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, as manifested by auditory acuity levels IV in the right ear and level II in the left ear, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss disability is granted as the Board finds that his current hearing loss in the left ear is related to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for breathing and nasal problems, hearing loss with speech recognition problems, and skin problems. The claim for higher initial evaluation for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are related to in-service noise exposure. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, which he reports significantly impacts his daily activities and occupational functioning. The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to assess the functional effects of his hearing loss on his daily life and work. Additionally, the issue of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted must be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. His hypertension claim, however, was granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his spouse's dependency status prior to May 1, 2009, was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bilateral pterygium removal due to aggravation during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiners concluded that the current disabilities are less likely related to service due to significant noise exposure post-service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 31, 2004 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,The claim of reopening and granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, including gunfire while serving as an Armor Crewman. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of medical evidence related to the Veteran's hearing loss disability, including a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss results in no worse than Level II hearing in the right ear and Level V hearing in the left ear, warranting a 10% disability rating. The current level of disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no competent and probative evidence linking his current hearing disability to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are otherwise related to his military service.,Meniere's disease was also not found to be service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his time in service.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA criteria, and his claim for service connection is denied.