Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for tinnitus and has also denied his request for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not etiologically related to service, initial manifest within a year of separation, or secondary to service connected perforation of the tympanic membrane of the right ear and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the November 2010 examiner to consider the conversion of the Veteran's separation audiogram to ISO-ANSI standards. The claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing conducted by a Veterans Law Judge who is no longer employed at the Board. The appellant was offered the option of a Travel Board hearing or a videoconference hearing, and he requested a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss that meets the criteria for service connection and therefore denied his claim. For the residuals of a laceration of the left third finger, the Board found no evidence to warrant an increased rating beyond 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for further development, including medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, pes planus, and varicose veins.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss requires additional development due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is not a compensable disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of hearing impairment in service or within one year post-service. The weight of medical opinions does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for right ear hearing loss or shortness of breath, including chest pain. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's mastoiditis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. The left ear hearing loss is also presumed to have existed prior to service, as there were no in-service complaints or diagnoses of hearing loss.