Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, but his left ear hearing loss is considered a disability under the regulation. The examiner also noted conflicting evidence of record regarding the onset of hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional development is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to a specific incident of noise exposure during active duty for training (ADT) in June 2000, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a facial disability, other than post-surgical scarring and degenerative arthritis of the left temporomandibular joint, and for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment had onset in service and is related to his military service. The Veteran's prior claim was reopened due to new evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to these conditions. The Board also noted inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding when he first experienced these symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. No jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination and additional information from SSA.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence, and there is no presumption period applicable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence regarding his exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA benefits purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a higher level of special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent prior to October 21, 2010 and remains at 30 percent from that date forward.