Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss as a direct result of noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic, identifiable conditions for back disorder, hip disorder, right knee disorder, hearing loss disability, or hypertension. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report does not adequately address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar strain is related to his in-service back pain. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disability within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it has been present since his military service and there is no evidence to contradict his testimony of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension.,Bilateral hearing loss remains in dispute, with the claim reopened but not yet substantiated.

The Veteran's request for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow the Veteran to testify before a Decision Review Officer (DRO) at the RO in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and clarifying the results of a private audiometric evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are considered to be due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, right foot disability (to include arthritis), left foot disability (to include arthritis), chronic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for an initial compensable rating for post fungal infection of the feet and hands is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an additional VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request during his January 2011 Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been service-connected, but the VA rating board determined that it does not warrant a compensable evaluation based on current audiometric test results.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of auditory nerve damage, including hearing loss, due to insufficient evidence and incomplete medical opinions. The appeal is pending as the nature of the appellant's service dates remains unclear.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, C5-6, and service connection for fibromyalgia, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and wrists were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the claim for an increased rating for his residuals of basal cell carcinoma from May 21, 2010 was also denied.