Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between these conditions and his time in active duty. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claims.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, splenectomy residuals, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and kidney stones. The Board finds that the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus require further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hearing loss and/or tinnitus found to be present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations and the provision of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was not considered as it is not related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his active duty service or head injury during ACDUTRA and the condition. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for onychomycosis. The Veteran did not have current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, thus denying his claim for service connection for hearing loss. His onychomycosis was found to be manifested by painful fungal infection affecting all five toes of both feet.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the exception that his hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric test data from a private clinic and ensuring all requested development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus, which may be related to his time in the Army National Guard. The case is being remanded for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 100% rating for PTSD from October 1, 2007 was granted. He also had his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss reopened and received a 100% rating effective October 15, 2009.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to his military service. The issue of right ear hearing loss was not addressed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue prior to a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and he was granted service connection for this condition. His bilateral hearing loss disability has been increased from noncompensable to 30 percent effective October 28, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are related to in-service combat noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, disability of both hips, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, asbestos exposure, and tuberculosis are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability since March 26, 2008.