Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his left ear hearing loss is not. The Veteran was exposed to noise during military service on a firing range without protection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service and that his current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of peripheral neuropathy as secondary to hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during or as a result of active service, within a presumptive period following service, or as a result of exposure to hazardous noise during service. The evidence from 1977 to 1981 firmly established that the Veteran himself reported several times that his hearing loss was first noted in early 197.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his service-connected hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Board will seek further development before deciding the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not due to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney stones, a bladder disability, and an enlarged prostate are denied as there is no competent evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is determined to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the effective date being May 1, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during service or within one year post-service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service, and concluded that they are more likely due to occupational noise exposure rather than military service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is considered service-connected as it began during his second period of active duty.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal regarding higher ratings for psoriasis was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports, failure to consider continuity of symptoms after service, and lack of consideration of SSA records. The reopened claim for residuals of a right leg and right knee injury is pending.