Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus are being remanded due to scheduling issues. The Veteran requested a hearing before the Board, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the right hand. The remaining claims, including those related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, left arm fracture, headaches, eye disability, hypertension, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that would result in these disabilities.

The Board found that the Appellant's bilateral hearing loss disorder is less likely than not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypoglycemia and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for GERD due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. Service connection for a groin disorder and headaches are denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is found to be at least as likely as not causally related to noise exposure during service. The TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The Board has granted vocational rehabilitation benefits for a law degree.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his military service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss prior to January 20, 2006 was denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2004. A subsequent increase in the evaluation to 10 percent effective January 6, 2006, and then to 20 percent effective May 11, 2010, was granted by the RO.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, as he waited over 20 years to file a claim. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether these conditions are at least as likely as not etiologically-related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no greater than Level II hearing acuity in the right ear and Level I hearing acuity in the left ear, warranting a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria for service connection and concluded that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating or an increased rating, respectively. The evidence does not show that his hearing acuity is more severe than indicated by the VA audiological evaluations conducted over several years, nor does it demonstrate significant interference with employment beyond what is contemplated by the current ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of aid and attendance or housebound, as his lower extremity weakness is due to other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for migraines. The remaining issues of service connection for cracked teeth, ear injury, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric test results do not warrant any higher evaluation based on the applicable VA rating schedule.