Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for any higher rating based on the severity of his hearing impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to his military service, and there is no diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorder were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear high frequency hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability and its functional effects.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has requested withdrawal of the appeal for all issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depression was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of current disability as a residual of any shrapnel wounds sustained during service, and there is insufficient evidence to link the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent on and after June 29, 2010. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the speech discrimination method used in a private audiology examination and another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 4, 1995 for TDIU benefits was denied as there was no prior claim filed before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and current hearing loss is not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, including exposure to noise and explosions in combat.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and injuries to both hips, finding the Veteran's assertions not credible and his available medical records insufficient to establish a nexus between current conditions and service.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year after separation, and concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective September 14, 2010. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.