Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current symptoms of tinnitus, which he claimed to have experienced since service, and there was no evidence contradicting his report.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran served as a combat pilot during World War II where he was exposed to loud noise. He currently has diagnosed sensorineural bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus did not begin during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability, as previous evaluations may not have captured recent changes in his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence provided by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether the Veteran desires a Board hearing.

The Board finds a relative equipoise in the evidence and thus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his claims, including a review of his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since the appeal began, and a compensable rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service or for many years thereafter. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a dental disorder and left ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a right lung disorder manifested by lesions/granulomas, and denied for the other conditions listed. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, bilateral foot disability, and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are all granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the BPPV.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing that he filed claims prior to September 25, 2007.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.