Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, rated at 60% combined, meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new examination at the VAMC in Spokane, Washington to assess his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is found to have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding the reduction of his hearing loss rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss in the left ear prior to August 31, 2007 is being remanded due to additional evidence submitted by his attorney. The case will be handled expeditiously and a new decision will be made based on all of the pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his military service, specifically exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for Meniere's disease and also denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 30 percent from February 27, 2007 to July 25, 2011 and upgraded to 50 percent effective July 26, 2011.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and there is no evidence that his in-service noise exposure resulted in such hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending as further examination is required to determine if it is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that it warranted such a rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to his active duty service, including exposure to artillery fire. The Veteran's hearing acuity was normal at enlistment and discharge, and he did not experience symptoms until after service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 1990. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to confirm current disability levels and establish a medical nexus between his military service and these conditions.