Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected as it was incurred during a period of INACDUTRA. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as the evidence shows these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is not related to his military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right foot disability and his bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level III in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a left elbow strain, right ear hearing loss, and a left hand ganglion cyst. Service connection for traumatic brain injury was granted with current manifestations but the Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disability, and migraine headaches. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions meeting VA standards.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. However, further development is required before the Board can decide these reopened claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure as a helicopter pilot, while his tinnitus is considered at least as likely as not caused by this same noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is causally related to his time in service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spinal strain, and an increased rating for painful exostosis of the left anterior chest are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and concluded that it was due to natural aging process.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his active duty military service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, rhinitis, lung cancer, and back disability will be remanded for additional examination and review.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal regarding residuals of dental trauma. The remaining claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lung disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and functional effects of his bilateral hearing loss on his daily activities and employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it was aggravated by service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in either the upper or lower extremities, and thus service connection could not be granted.