Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has decided that the case needs further examination and opinion to determine if service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability can be granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected right ear hearing loss has been granted, with a noncompensable rating effective from March 10, 2009.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, given his history of noise exposure in and after service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, neck disability and left varicocele are remanded for further development.

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

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a left ear hearing loss disability related to service, and thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss disability in either ear for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus was not manifested during service or related to active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred during service, and his cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus are included in the existing rating for that condition. The claim for increased ratings for hypertension, sleep apnea, lumbosacral disc disease, left knee ligament repair, and diabetes mellitus with diabetic cataracts is referred to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, gastrointestinal problems, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for impotence, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were based on secondary service connection theories.

The Veteran is found to have likely had chronic right otitis media with perforation of the tympanic membrane during service, and this condition was incurred in service. Service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, specifically left ear hearing loss, a neck disorder, and right shoulder and left shoulder disorders. The evidence does not support finding these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

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

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including obtaining treatment records from Keeslar Air Force Base. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for hearing loss will be remanded to the RO.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the unavailability of service records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for the residuals of a right clavicle fracture, were denied. The Board found that there was no current evidence of a right ear hearing loss or left ear hearing loss to a compensable degree. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss or tinnitus, as the previous opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his residual scarring from laceration of the right hand remains at a noncompensable rating. The RO granted both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The preexisting left ear hearing loss was also determined not to be aggravated by active military service.