Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss disabilities, finding that there was no current evidence of such disabilities for VA purposes and concluding that any such disabilities were not related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion considering all available evidence, including his service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is May 29, 2009, as this was the date when the Veteran submitted a formal claim. The Board finds no basis to award an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during service and competent medical evidence fails to identify a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The VA granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development regarding the rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as he experienced it in service and continues to experience it since then. The hearing loss claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as they are not found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected conditions. The dental disorder claims remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current level of PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a current disability or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional VA examinations and consideration of his increased rating claims for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal involves a claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and a TDIU claim. The RO has considered these issues, but the Veteran's testimony indicates that his hearing loss has worsened since the last VA examination in March 2009. Therefore, another VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his hearing loss disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including exposure to noise during basic training. The VA audiological examination concluded that the Veteran's hearing was within normal limits at separation from service.

The case is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence for review and a supplemental VA opinion for bilateral hearing loss. The low back issue will also be reviewed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability in either ear.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to procedural issues and the need for a VA opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to noise trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.