Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations or higher ratings.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that the effective date of November 1, 2009 is appropriate as it marks the point at which he became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Travel Board hearing before a third VLJ who will participate in the decision on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD attributable to his in-service combat exposure and grants this aspect of his appeal. His claims for increased rating for right shoulder disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and right knee arthritis do not warrant an initial compensable disability rating. The RO should obtain any missing VA examination reports and ensure all relevant evidence is associated with the claims file.

The Board found no current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing. The issues of service connection for back condition and hearing loss remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of functional effects.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining evidence from Social Security Administration and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current PTSD disability is rated at 30 percent, but a higher evaluation may be warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbar spine disorder, erectile dysfunction, a genitourinary disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, or an upper respiratory disorder. The evidence is against finding aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for service connection, and the inservice noise exposure did not result in any permanent hearing impairment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be incurred in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. However, it did not address the issues regarding cervical spine disorder and thoracic spine disorder due to a remand order.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA audiology examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a chronic ear disorder other than hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus denied his claim for service connection.