Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, HTN, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a stressor related to service or any nexus between current conditions and service.

The Board found that the medical evidence did not establish a link between the appellant's military service and his current bilateral hearing loss, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active service, as are his tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and claimed leg disorders.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable since October 5, 2005. The claim for increased ratings for the left femur fracture and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and confirming the Veteran's alleged in-service exposure to radiation or chemicals. The Veteran will also be afforded a new examination for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted the claim, finding that there is a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination and consideration of new evidence. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective August 16, 2010. The VA examiner noted a significant increase in hearing loss on the left ear and a slight improvement on the right ear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no credible evidence of pathology during service or within one year following discharge. The VA audiological examination concluded that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left hip disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Veteran's current hearing loss was not shown until 2007, which is more than a decade after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service exposure to loud aircraft noises and sounds, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma of the right eye is remanded as additional development is needed. The Veteran's PTSD disability rating remains at 30 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there remains no active case or controversy regarding the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, effective from June 3, 1986.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and re-adjudication of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spondylosis, radiculopathies, and headaches were also denied.