Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing impairment level is I in both ears and he can work around his hearing loss at work.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service and denied the claim for service connection, concluding that any current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and residuals of stapedectomy of the left ear did not warrant a compensable rating based on current medical evidence showing essentially normal hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA audiological examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and provide an explanation as to significantly different puretone hearing threshold levels shown in previous examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service aboard the USS Preston, and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for prostate cancer as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. However, there was no current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiometric examination and review of the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for tinnitus remains pending as his appeal does not address this issue directly. His claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus is granted and the effective date is set at May 6, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hepatitis C and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back condition, right and left leg sciatica, and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU. The Veteran will be provided with VA audiological examinations, and his claim for a TDIU will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no current diagnoses of hypertension, right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records do not show any signs or symptoms of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in its dismissal.