Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The issues are whether he is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear has been reopened. The issue of service connection for hearing loss of the left ear remains pending. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a left shoulder rotator cuff repair was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are attributable to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and its functional effects.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claim for cellulitis was withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable as he can perform a sedentary job with the help of workplace accommodations.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right leg neuropathy, and respiratory disorder have been denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss in June 1971. The effective date of the current grant of service connection is August 31, 2007.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability, as there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the Secretary to make a decision on the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his time in active duty. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is less likely caused by or a result of military noise exposure, and that his tinnitus was not caused by or a result of military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's account of noise exposure in service and persistent ringing in his ears is credible. Service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased hearing loss and reopening service connection for right knee disability and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not worsen during his second period of active duty service and denied entitlement to service connection for this condition. The claim for sarcoidosis was addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination, as well as the submission of new evidence from a private audiologist.

The Board denied service connection for back injury and bilateral hearing loss in June 1971, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or residuals.