Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, as the RO found that he did not appeal the original December 1945 rating decision. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied because his combined disability rating from all service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and left ear hearing loss are all service-connected. The Veteran has been granted a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD since September 2, 2005, and is also granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea pedis, and a rash-type disorder involving the chest and legs.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.,For the left eye disorder claim, the Veteran's right eye injury was previously denied due to lack of active residuals. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating this claim.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain a June 2004 audiological evaluation from the Finger Lakes Hearing Center. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, and left ankle disorder due to the combat presumption. Service connection for a digestive disorder is also granted. Lung disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acoustic neuroma and right ear hearing loss, as well as PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The reduction in the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 to 20 percent, effective April 1, 2008, was not proper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating of 20 percent for prostate cancer residuals, effective September 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service connection claims, including obtaining medical records from his Army National Guard and Army Reserve service.

The Veteran's equilibrium disability, claimed as dizziness, was not incurred in or aggravated by peacetime service.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and service connection were granted, with a 30% rating assigned for bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal heel spurs effective September 12, 2006. Service connection was established for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to chemical exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, heart disorder, and right knee internal derangement were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than December 17, 2005 for PTSD was also denied as there is no legal basis to grant such a date. Service connection for the remaining conditions was not granted due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active duty service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.