Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by level I hearing on both the right and left, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board finds that this does not warrant an evaluation higher than 0 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of the claim for left shoulder and arm pain. The other conditions have been found to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is a need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case, and further development is required before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary before the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss can be adjudicated.

The Board found no evidence of a current sinus, right abdominal muscle, or bilateral ear disorder (including hearing loss) related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from April 3, 2008 is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to consider whether different ratings may be warranted based on distinct time periods.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation greater than 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded. The Board finds the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders, but the preponderance of the evidence is against finding he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a sole result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by active service beyond its natural progression, and therefore denied service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a skin disorder (mucous patch), left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining claims are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran has a current left ear hearing loss disability, but it was not caused by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is reasonably shown to have had its origins during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for hearing loss or tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not develop during active service and is not linked to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, but denied a higher initial disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.