Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to military noise exposure, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss disability is so severe that it renders him unemployable, meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence is sufficient to establish a current disability, but not enough to connect it to his military service. Two rating decisions from 1974 are being reviewed for CUE in connection with the original denial of service connection.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether it is related to service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of headaches and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to her military service. The issue of entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss has been referred to the RO.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle was granted, but an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for any portion of the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids with sessile polyp of the sigmoid colon was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The bilateral hearing loss claim is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The case is therefore REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his incarceration and lack of service personnel records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to noise, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted. The decision on bilateral hearing loss will be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss was denied, and the rating for duodenitis with superficial ulceration, small hiatal hernia (claimed as gastritis) was increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an audiometric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 29, 2009 and at 20 percent after that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as non-compensable due to the current level of impairment, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete verification of his reserve service and the need to obtain additional medical records, including from Korea during his active duty.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and whether it is related to his military service.