Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly decide the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension. Specifically, an addendum to the November 2006 VA examination report must be obtained addressing the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely due to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is causally related to active service. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings for onychomycosis, tinea ungium of all toenails, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is found to be related to service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The spine disability claim requires additional development as a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a bilateral hand injury was denied as the current disability is not related to his active duty service. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, anosmia, respiratory disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for pes planus was denied. His appeal for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a higher rating. The issue regarding the reduction in disability rating for prostate residuals was withdrawn.

The Board affords the Veteran the full benefit of the doubt and finds that his current right ear hearing loss is due to his hazardous military noise exposure. The evidence together with the September 2010 VA examiner's opinion satisfies the final element required to establish service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to noise exposure during military service. The VA has requested additional examination and review of the claims file to determine if there is a relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (including ulcers), kidney stones, and right knee synovitis were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing hearing loss was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left perforated tympanic membrane and service connection for several secondary conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vestibular disorder (loss of balance and motion sickness), ear infections, and earaches. The underlying condition was not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service and finds in his favor, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss as defined by VA standards and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during active service. Service connection is granted.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current eye disorders to his military service, and service connection for a bilateral eye disability is denied.,Service connection for the residuals of a dental condition (fractured teeth) is not established as there was no in-service trauma or combat injury.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the appeal without prejudice.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO in St. Louis, Missouri.