Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied, as the current disability level does not warrant an increased rating. The issue of TDIU is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision also addressed a claim for erectile dysfunction but did not specify its disposition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum to a Social and Industrial Survey from the June 2010 examiner. The Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities alone is to be evaluated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The disability is presumed to have been aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his military service, as they first manifested many years after service. The VA expert opinion concluded that these conditions were more likely due to other factors such as hereditary causes or environmental noise exposure over time.

The Veteran's current respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service or any in-service exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disability at separation from service and there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for gastroenteritis and hearing loss, as well as the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected right ear disorder to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss that is attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The current disability rating remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his postoperative prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a grant of TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in February 2006 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tarsal tunnel syndrome, arthritis of the spine/bone spurs, irritable bowel syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of hearing loss or evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has right ear hearing loss, which began in service. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes and thus service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured ear drum, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to service, specifically acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent prior to April 19, 2006 and at 10 percent since then. The Board determined that a higher rating is not warranted.