Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure as a radioman in the Navy. The claims will be readjudicated after this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss was not found to be incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service treatment records were negative for complaints, treatment, and diagnoses of right ear hearing loss. Right ear sensorineural hearing loss was not exhibited within the first post-service year. There is no objective evidence relating right ear hearing loss to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that he did not have tinnitus or PTSD related to military service. The decision also noted that the Veteran was already service-connected for a shell fragment wound in his right leg, which is considered as acoustic trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing disability for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss and right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant such ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as a VA examination found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus would not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left ankle disability, enlarged testicles, and an enlarged prostate. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is linked to his noise exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus that may be present.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened. The Board has granted these claims.,Service connection is established for PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right ear disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that further medical examination is needed to clarify the nature of his current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding an audiological examination.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiogram results and clarifying the nature of the private medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and review, including reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions have been completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.