Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's initial claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a non-compensable rating from June 18, 2003 to September 2, 2010. From September 3, 2010 onwards, he received a 30% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA audiological examination to determine the current nature and extent of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has scheduled a travel board hearing at the Houston RO for the Veteran. The issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to scheduling conflicts.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for injury to the right toes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service personnel records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by moderate sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not permanently increase in severity during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no credible evidence of a connection between his current conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to his period of active service. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, multiple myeloma, and various skin disorders including basal cell cancer, malignant melanoma, and actinic and seborrheic keratoses. The denial is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the appellant currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are both related to his time in active duty service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded to allow for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with support from medical evidence linking these conditions to acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and is not presumed due to exposure to noise. The Board found that the current hearing loss is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was previously rated at 10 percent, but the Board has now determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is consistent with service and was incurred in line of duty, granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder was denied. The initial rating for PTSD was granted at 50%. The left ankle disability claim was denied, and the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened.