Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection was denied.

The Veteran likely has hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his active military service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since August 20, 2007. The most recent VA audiological examination did not show findings that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the lumbar disorder or bilateral hearing loss to service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year of separation. The VA examiner found no link between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now granted. The claim for service connection for tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient nexus evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, specifically noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. The Veteran will be provided another VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's death was not considered service-connected, as he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a 30 percent initial disability rating, effective from May 22, 2007. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically exposure to noise during basic and advanced individual training.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence. The September 2004 denial remains final.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, and it was not caused by any incident of his period of active military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to service, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss in the right ear are service-connected, with the latter being aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations and denied service connection. For his lung disorder, the Board determined there was no competent evidence linking it to in-service asbestos exposure.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent since August 13, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability, current severity of his service-connected left thumb scar and digital nerve damage, and current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran also requested a Travel Board hearing.