Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran died with a combined disability rating of 70% due to macular degeneration, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran did not meet the requirement of having been rated totally disabled for at least 10 years immediately preceding death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claim for an increased rating for right knee ACL tear is also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is as likely as not incurred during his military service due to acoustic trauma from artillery exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including in-service acoustic trauma. As such, the appeal is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim for new and material evidence for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral leg disability, specifically varicose veins of the right and left legs, and for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are now resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as the evidence does not show loss of use of one or both feet due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development, including medical opinions on the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were granted effective March 22, 2001.,The Veteran was awarded a TDIU effective July 12, 1999.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his military service, and to consider this in light of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, while his tinnitus cannot be linked to any specific incident or condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but not for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, arthritis of the right knee, or arthritis of the left knee that is related to service. The evidence does not show that these conditions had their onset in active military service, manifested within one year of service separation, or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 13, 2009; increased to 20 percent from March 13, 2009, to April 11, 2010; and further increased to 50 percent effective September 3, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, right ear were denied as there is no legal basis to assign separate or higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year post-service. The current hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to service exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision also resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.