Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a supplemental VA examination to determine if his bilateral hip and knee disabilities are permanently aggravated by his service-connected hammertoes.

The Veteran's appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and determining whether he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he attributes to his inservice duties as an armor crewman. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to inconclusive evidence regarding the existence and etiology of any current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is determined to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it resulted from noise exposure during his military service, and he did not have any pre-existing hearing issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has interfered with his employability, preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not originate in or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip and leg disability, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability, and right ear hearing loss due to inadequate February 2009 VA examination reports. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his active military service, including noise exposure from the flight line and small arms fire. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after any additional development.

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

The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be no worse than Level I in both ears, warranting a 0 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his current hearing acuity levels do not warrant any higher rating based on the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus did not develop during service or as a result of any service-connected disability, including PTSD. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss does not qualify as a disability for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between current hearing loss and active duty service.