Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is not related to his military service. The VA examiner opined that the hearing loss may be due to noise exposure during hunting as a civilian and/or presbycusis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing. The remaining issues on appeal include reopening and service connection claims, as well as rating increases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 9, 2005 for a 10% disability rating for tinnitus and for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the award for tinnitus was fixed at January 9, 2005, based on liberalizing changes in VA regulations. For hearing loss, there is no assigned rating or effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of any complaints or diagnoses during service and no indication of a continuity of symptomatology. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his current hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and increased rating for pseudo folliculitis barbae are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's burn scar of the right forearm. The Veteran currently has a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss, bilaterally, which is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. However, his current burn scar does not affect his arm function.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure and concluding that any current hearing loss is more likely due to presbyacusis and slight Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarifying medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and stomach condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and his military service, concluding that it is more likely due to post-service noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and rashes on chest, face, and neck are not service-connected. The Veteran's headaches may be related to a head injury in service but further examination is needed. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and right inferior orbital wall fracture residuals were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a hearing loss disability or compensable rating for the left ankle disability. The right inferior orbital wall fracture residuals did not result in any additional functional impairment beyond what is already considered under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration of TDIU entitlement due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during active service. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the threshold requirements for a disability due to impaired hearing for VA purposes, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is needed.