Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examination report is inadequate and requires further clarification regarding the relationship between the appellant's current hearing loss disability and in-service acoustic trauma. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 22, 2009 were denied. Since then, his rating was increased to 30 percent effective from December 22, 2009.

The Board found no evidence of right ear hearing loss in service and denied the claim as there was not a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while disabling, do not render him unemployable due to their combined effects. The nonservice-connected conditions have a more significant impact on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from October 18, 2006 through April 7, 2008, and the rating was increased to 40 percent beginning on April 8, 2008. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss starting December 27, 2010.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his disability does not present so exceptional or unusual a disability picture as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical opinions indicate that it is less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's back disability (Degenerative Disc Disease with Lumbar Stenosis) claim is granted as the VA examiner opined that it was as likely as not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) claim is granted as the VA examiner opined that it was as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has vacated its previous decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is likely caused by in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are appropriate, as they do not exceed the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss is also now service-connected, but a higher initial rating remains denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current pulmonary disability, hypertension, or residuals of stroke with eyesight problems related to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there were no pending, prior, unadjudicated claims upon which an earlier effective date could be based.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, with an average hearing threshold level of 32.5 decibels in the right ear and 48.75 decibels in the left ear. The Board denied a higher initial compensable evaluation for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims, as well as to address the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric condition. The Veteran will be scheduled for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or low back disability during service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between his current conditions and service.