Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and any in-service noise exposure did not result in a hearing loss disability within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of worsening during active duty or within one year post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The evidence supports a relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, due to conflicting opinions on its etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied an extra-schedular rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the schedular criteria adequately described his symptoms and there was no marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset in service. The claim for a ruptured ear drum is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it prior to the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, and plantar fasciitis of the left foot. The criteria for a compensable rating were not met for any of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling an appropriate audiology evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as his hearing acuity is no worse than Level II in the right ear and Level I in the left ear, which corresponds to a 0 percent rating under Code 6100.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is being evaluated in light of his service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with a joint motion.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss that is attributable to his active military service. His current hearing loss may be related to occupational noise exposure after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and notification issues, requiring further development of the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss may be due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and vertigo are related to service, while his sleep apnea is not.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo is granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.