Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. This includes obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling the appellant for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected ventral/umbilical hernia and bilateral hearing loss do not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are etiologically related to his active military service period, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and tendon disorder of the left foot (to include a left ankle disorder). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to an insufficient VA examination, and the Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent effective March 24, 2008. The claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim, were denied.

The Veteran's income and net worth exceed the maximum allowable pension rate, thus his claim for nonservice-connected disability pension with special monthly pension benefits is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dental trauma of tooth numbered 15, finding that the conditions were aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective February 18, 2009. The Board found that the original May 1971 application included both hearing acuity and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss disability is not attributable to military service. The adjustment disorder with PTSD symptoms claim was granted but with a lower initial rating than requested.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left vestibular schwannoma was incurred during active service. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his post-operative residuals are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, either due to noise exposure or genetic factors. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (including as secondary to diabetes mellitus and exposure to herbicide agents), renal insufficiency (including as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or a showing of continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for consideration as a disability for VA purposes and is therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began after service and is more likely due to age-related factors.