Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and his request for an increased rating for tinnitus. The Veteran was already assigned the maximum schedular benefit allowed by law for his tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent since March 15, 2006. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is pending as it relates to a separate appeal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The criteria for service connection have been met, with the exception of a specific effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to assess the current degree of his bilateral hearing loss and obtain updated treatment records from the Tuscaloosa VAMC.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity beyond natural progression during his period of active military service, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, singly or in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not show any exceptional or unusual circumstances that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left leg cellulitis, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and his other claims were based on new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current right ear hearing loss disability related to service exposure, but does not have left ear hearing loss or diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability and that any hearing loss was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted with a noncompensable evaluation from February 27, 2007 and upgraded to a 100% evaluation effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds no presumption of service connection due to noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his active service, including noise exposure. The only opinion addressing this issue concluded that the hearing loss was not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 30 percent, effective October 9, 2007. The initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.