Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and frequently adjusting his special orthopedic appliance without aid, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and inextricably intertwined issues.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is a preponderance of evidence against a nexus between his period of service and his diagnosed condition. The Board found insufficient documented evidence to establish a connection between his currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no legal entitlement to such earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and other issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder are granted. Service connection is denied for a left elbow disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability, currently rated noncompensable.

The Veteran's hearing loss is manifested by Level IV in his right ear and Level II in his left ear, warranting a disability rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities, and the medical opinions do not support a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain a cardiovascular injury or disease during service, and did not experience chronic symptoms of hypertension during service. The pre-existing heart murmur was not aggravated by service, and the pre-existing left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are not met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from April 16, 2008. The appeal is denied as there are no higher ratings available under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a neck injury. This includes obtaining medical records, conducting VA examinations, and reviewing service personnel records.

The Board finds that the private medical care provided on June 25, 2009 was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to the Veteran's life or health. As a result, reimbursement for this unauthorized treatment is denied.

The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. However, the current disorder was not linked to his military service and there is no evidence of a link between other claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but has granted a finding of service connection for tinnitus due to exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination assessing the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim for service connection.