Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying in-service stressor allegations, and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, and compensation benefits pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 14, 2006 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine hypertrophic osteoarthritis was denied. The effective date is set at November 18, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the withdrawal of his appeals for increased ratings for left ankle disorder and right knee disorder. The remaining issues of increased ratings for sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and asthma are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing right ear hearing loss was aggravated by his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a gallbladder disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or due to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to exposure to loud noise in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, as both conditions are found to be directly related to his active duty service. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, as there was no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss was less likely than not due to military noise exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran experienced severe noise exposure during service and currently has a diagnosed tinnitus disability. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination at his place of residence or another suitable location.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as the Veteran was not in receipt of, or entitled to receive, compensation based on a 100% disability rating continuously for the 10 years prior to his death.