Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of aggravation of bilateral pes planus during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The claims for increased evaluations for mechanical low back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple scars were also denied.

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as ischemic heart disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his service-connected heart condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service and the delay between any potential onset and service is too long to attribute these conditions to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, but he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the tinnitus grant remains October 15, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence that he submitted a formal or informal claim prior to January 30, 2007.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective July 29, 2009. Prior to that date, the disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than a Level II impairment of auditory acuity. The right ear is considered normal for rating purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of an increase in the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for a compensable rating. The issue regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also addressed, but not specified as granted or denied.

The Veteran withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for pleural effusion, sleep apnea, hypertension; and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right elbow status post fracture before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right bundle branch block, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and noncompensably rated left fifth metacarpal finger fracture residuals and scar of the left palm, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and granted service connection. The issue of a bilateral foot disorder is pending as it appears to be related to pre-existing conditions, but further evidence is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's disequilibrium was not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and for consideration of any new evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to ensure an accurate and complete record on appellate review, including converting service department audiometric readings from ASA units to ISO units.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiology examination.