Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss with left otitis externa was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent prior to May 14, 2010 and 10 percent effective May 14, 2010.

The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to conduct a VA audiological examination as ordered in November 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability recognized as a VA compensable condition and therefore denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection based on new evidence received since the 1987 denial. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was rated at 40 percent from February 17, 2010, through June 24, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during service and is not related to any in-service disease or injury. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.,There is no competent medical evidence showing that the Veteran currently suffers from right ear hearing loss, as his current hearing loss was first noted many years after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and are not shown to be due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected Bell's palsy.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 19, 2010, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for any higher ratings under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease is now rated at 20 percent effective July 25, 2006. The other issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is likely related to service, and the Board finds that it began during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced symptoms during service and continuous since separation. The Board also found a positive nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to establish a link between in-service events and his current health issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss as a result of his time in active military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there is no showing of exceptional or unusual disability that would warrant an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus and concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss as no new and material evidence was received, and thus the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service.