Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a hearing before the RO in Waco, Texas due to the Veteran's inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 17, 2009 and 50 percent after October 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and evaluation by the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as his audiometric findings consistently showed Level I hearing loss, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and ear disorder (claimed as hearing loss) due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is acknowledged but not sufficient to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his hearing loss is not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to acoustic trauma experienced during his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for COPD has been withdrawn by the appellant or his representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and residuals of a chest wound, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing did not meet the criteria to be considered a disability under VA regulations. The claim for service connection for low back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case to clarify whether the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and heart disease have been granted service connection, with the heart disease being presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The rating for his hearing loss is at its maximum of 10 percent, while the heart disease has a current evaluation of 10 percent.