Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The issues of increased evaluations for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as entitlement to TDIU based on these disabilities, are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that his hearing did not meet VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 40 percent disabling, as the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results, which did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss improved, warranting a reduction from a 20% to a 10% disability rating effective December 1, 2009.

The Veteran's vocational rehabilitation claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete claims file and conducting a VA audiological examination to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed, including obtaining records from Woodland Memorial Hospital and affording the Veteran a VA audiology examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO or via videoconference, and his entitlement to service connection for conjunctivitis and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination report and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his and his representative's failure to respond to the RO's requests for information, combined with their unwillingness or lack of desire to undergo further VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss in the left ear was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is less likely than not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since March 31, 2009. Before that date, the disability was not compensable.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has not warranted a compensable evaluation at any time during the rating period on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis in his left knee and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are likely related to his period of active service, granting service connection for both conditions.