Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are secondary to his service-connected psoriasis, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and asbestos-related pleural disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thumb injury and hearing loss was denied. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disability, and the current disabilities are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no hypertension found to be service-connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he asserts is due to noise exposure during his military service. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining all available service treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant an increased rating based on VA and private audiometric testing results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a chronic left shoulder disorder due to additional development of his claims file, including obtaining medical records from the VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for supplemental opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to noise exposure during active military service and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is causally related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The claims will be remanded to the RO for these actions.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence indicating a current hearing loss disability was incurred or aggravated by active duty.,There is no medical evidence showing a connection between the Veteran's pulmonary disabilities, including COPD and asthma, and her active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claims for service connection, as well as a VA audiology examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diverticulitis/diverticulosis, and traumatic brain injury.