Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 1, 2008. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for this period.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss, as the submitted evidence does not provide a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the decision is being remanded due to incomplete records and requests for further development of the claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims, and there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss disabilities in both ears and scars on his left forearm, third digit of the left hand, and fifth digit of the left hand were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Leavenworth, Kansas VA Medical Center. The issue of increased rating for service-connected right ear hearing loss will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiometric examination and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted, as it had its onset in service and is related to his reported combat experiences. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and because of new guidance from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration regarding service connection for hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss is found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, gastrointestinal disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active military service, including exposure to noise during his deployment in Southwest Asia.