Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and may not be presumed due to noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss is less likely as not caused by or a result of his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. A VA examination is also required.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability compensation payment to the 10 percent rate, effective January 1, 2009, was proper.

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 disabilities. The claims have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and right eardrum disability are not related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the current disabilities are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to insufficient evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

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 continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane of the left ear are causally related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current evidence of hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service acoustic trauma were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and concluding that his hearing loss was not caused by military noise exposure.