Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment history and other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ear hearing disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. For right ear hearing loss, while there were some audiometric test results indicating hearing loss, they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his puretone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and memory impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, but granted service connection for both conditions based on direct evidence. The decision did not address any presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's death was due to alcoholic cirrhosis and alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's service records, as well as his post-service occupational noise exposure, will be considered in this process.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for chronic hearing loss disability, chronic actinic keratosis, and chronic obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board finds that the reduction from a 20% rating to noncompensable (zero%) for bilateral hearing loss, based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), was proper.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and was not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending as part of a separate remand.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's hearing loss was aggravated by military service. The issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow for a VA examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a supplemental medical nexus opinion to address the relationship between her current bilateral hearing loss and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted. His increased rating claim for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has also been granted with a current rating of 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The decision found that there was no medical evidence establishing a link between current hearing loss or PTSD and service.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently rated at 0% (noncompensable) for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation.