Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left patellar tendon rupture was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's service-connected condition has not worsened to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is due to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but not for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, and thus, it will be granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is service-connected and rated at 10 percent.,Tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for further development of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service or any other condition. The issue of service connection will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by Level I hearing acuity in both ears based on the audiogram results from VA examinations and a private treatment record. The schedular criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met or approximated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or a neck disability and peripheral neuropathy that are attributable to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The examiner noted that the Veteran did not have any significant noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 13, 2006 and in excess of 40 percent beginning October 13, 2006 for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not cause his death from multiple blunt trauma due to falls. The underlying causes were unrelated to service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The Board concurs with this determination based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service and did not manifest within one year of discharge. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than auditory acuity level I in the right ear and level VIII in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to July 12, 2007, and a higher rating from July 12, 2007, for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss worsened during his active service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The reduction of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss evaluation from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper, as his hearing improved and he no longer met the criteria for a higher rating.