Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

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

The Veteran's claim for an initial (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric testing results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss were denied. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to August 7, 2007, and at 20 percent from January 21, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for any period.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and probative evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a current disability, as the most recent VA examination did not demonstrate any hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable (zero percent) since April 21, 1998. The VA and private audiometric evaluations have consistently shown auditory acuity Level I in both ears.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss and tinnitus were aggravated by his additional service in the Alabama Army National Guard, especially during 1988.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to loud noise during active service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's back disability, currently rated at 10 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during his active service, and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss disability, including considering the Veteran's employment with General Motors in the late 1970s. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus cannot establish a current disability. The in-service noise exposure is acknowledged, but there is no evidence of any hearing loss during service or within one year post-service. The July 2008 VA examiner opined that the appellant's hearing loss was not caused by or a result of military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for purposes of establishing service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus originated during his military service and is presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria. For hearing loss, the Board found that audiometric testing did not show a disability within VA standards. For hypertension, the VA examiner concluded that it was not caused by or related to diabetes mellitus.