Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.,Bilateral hearing loss was first noted many years after service and is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, left leg and knee disorders. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a fully informed decision regarding the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Vet Center records for PTSD and scheduling VA examinations for hearing loss and basal cell carcinoma. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining complete VA treatment records, private treatment records from Dr. Sumrall, and a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The Board has also determined that referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service is warranted for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and there is no evidence linking his military service to any such condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is causally related to his military service, specifically due to acoustic trauma from exposure to 81-millimeter mortars and heavy artillery during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the Veterans Law Judge, and the Veteran requested a new hearing before a different judge at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the relationship between his hearing loss and service. The claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil with metastases to the right neck remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that chronic right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during such service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for his hearing loss, lung disorder, and right hand fractures are being remanded to allow for additional development of the evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for heel spurs and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran was not in receipt of a total disability rating for at least eight years prior to his death, and therefore does not meet the criteria for enhanced DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a mini-stroke to the right eye with conjunctivitis, and left eye conjunctivitis and corneal erosion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive lung disease and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to incomplete records, including missing VA examination reports and treatment notes. The Board will consider the claims anew without regard to prior denials.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Veteran maintains his ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's assertions about in-service noise exposure were considered but deemed insufficient to establish a nexus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.