Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral foot disabilities are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right hand neuropathy with scarring is also denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were all incurred in service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's previously denied claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's renal cell carcinoma and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA medical examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as new and material evidence has been received. The claims are granted based on a finding of aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder secondary to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide him with a new VA examination. The claims will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability have been rated appropriately at the maximum schedular evaluations. The appeal for higher initial ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran also requested a higher initial disability evaluation for PTSD, but the Board found that the evidence did not support such a rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the appellant currently suffers from this condition as a result of acoustic trauma in active duty service. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denies all claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are pending.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to military service and the Board finds that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be incurred in service, while his acquired psychiatric disorder was not. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran died in March 2010 due to an acute myocardial infarction. The appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD were pending at the time of the Veteran's death. Evidence of record did not show that any of these conditions began during or preexisted military service or was related to service.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for hallux limitus with a bunion of the left foot was granted. Service connection was also granted for dizziness, but no specific conditions or exposure basis were provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder condition, and sinus condition.