Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing questions of service causation or aggravation by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a scar on the left hand. The claim for service connection of a left hand disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence received does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 20 percent effective September 14, 2010. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The October 1981 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is upheld as there was no clear and unmistakable error. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 17, 2000, which granted service connection, must be denied by operation of law.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development, specifically addressing whether his current conditions are related to in-service infections and high fevers.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability in the left ear, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service noise exposure is related to his current condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that preexisting left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service and right ear hearing loss did not manifest in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with the Board finding that his current symptoms are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service, and his left ear hearing loss disability was shown on entry into service. The claim for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is consistent with his combat service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will require further examination and consideration of the new regulations regarding fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill) is denied as his physical disabilities did not prevent him from attending or completing an educational program during the eligibility period.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of active disease or residual symptoms. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) were also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence show continuous symptoms since service. Service connection was also granted for left ear hearing loss due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The examiner must also consider whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.