Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to her military service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his request for rescheduling. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C and a right knee disorder have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants an extraschedular rating of 10 percent, as it presents significant interference with employment.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU rating based on service-connected disabilities. The RO/AMC needs to schedule the Veteran for an examination and determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not receive notice of his scheduled VA examination for bilateral hearing loss disability, and thus good cause has been established. The case is being remanded to schedule a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during service, with no evidence of pre-service or post-service noise exposure. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims for service connection remain pending and will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability originated during his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability by VA standards and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration regarding whether current hearing loss is related to an in-service head injury during an assault with metal pipes.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as his service-connected conditions (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) were not considered to be principal or contributory causes of his death. The appellant argued that her husband's PTSD contributed to his strokes and heart attacks, but VA medical opinions did not support this claim.

The Board determined that the appellant's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and his right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and the Board finds that his claim for service connection must be denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service due to lack of in-service symptoms or noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not presumed to have occurred therein. The criteria for a compensable evaluation for his left ear hearing loss disability have also not been met.