Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involving the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee disabilities and tinnitus has been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, but his claim for thoracic strain with lumbar compression fracture and mild scoliosis was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current thoracolumbar spine disability that began in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were based on clear and unmistakable error, and thus severed. The Veteran's appeal to restore this service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for a sleep disorder, muscle discomfort as secondary to PTSD and headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent, with an additional 10 percent rating for the scar resulting from surgery in September 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes mellitus), and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the previous denials was not new and material.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and the denial of entitlement to service connection for COPD are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus that may be present.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service exposure to noise, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

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 resulting from in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has awarded service connection for tinnitus, which represents a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also granted as direct service connection is established.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure are credible, and he currently experiences bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. These conditions are related to his military service.