Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss, but the evidence does not support a finding that this condition is related to service. The Board therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than auditory acuity level II in the right ear and level II in the left ear, warranting a 0 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's ear disability, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and otalgia, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence linking the current hearing loss to service, and concluded that it is more likely due to age-related factors (presbycusis). For PTSD, the Veteran's disability picture does not meet the criteria for a 70% rating.

The March 1996 rating decision denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence of in-service incurrence and no current disability meeting the regulatory requirements. The claim is now being reopened based on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not shown to be due to a disease or injury in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and an upper back condition, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted as the evidence supports these conditions having onset during or being related to military service.

The Board has determined that a more detailed examination and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA or VA-authorized examination at an agreed upon location. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered along with all other evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated noncompensably throughout the appeal period due to average pure tone thresholds of 34 in the right ear and 31 in the left ear, resulting in a Level III rating. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a compensable schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for right ear hearing loss and determining that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability in either ear.

The Board denied reopening and granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 30, 2008. The decision found that there was no pending claim or medical evidence supporting such a determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C were denied as there is no evidence of current disability that meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss originated during his period of active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) did not cause or contribute to his death from Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. The VA opinions indicated that HSP was not a primary cause of death.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and obtain relevant unit histories. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine whether he suffers from PTSD due to verified stressors, as well as for an audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.