Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder or bilateral hearing loss during service and concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and iliotibial band friction syndrome, left knee as there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent for the period prior to September 25, 2000. The issue of service connection for a back disorder is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA audiological testing records. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss will be reconsidered after obtaining the full results of his VA audiological tests.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to his active service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to in-service asbestos exposure or noise exposure, respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional VA treatment records and clarify whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss with otitis media was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current level of hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a dental condition, and a bilateral eye disorder. The remaining claims were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not originate during service and is less likely due to noise exposure, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any current disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective from September 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service and no indication of continuity of symptomatology. The VA audiological examination revealed current bilateral hearing loss but could not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis, but no compensable rating is warranted for either shoulder disorder prior to May 27, 2008. The criteria for a higher rating are also not met for the Veteran's shoulder disorders since that date.