Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in July 2005. The Veteran's new evidence does not provide any new or material information to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and provide another VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service, and his bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for neck and back injuries. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between current neck and back conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims, including records of treatment prior to 2000, morning reports from service, and VA clinical records.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to a lack of response from the Veteran regarding requested medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after any necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 60 percent since June 24, 2011. This rating is in accordance with the improvement observed during his most recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and its relation to his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and left hand disability. The case is therefore REMANDED for a VA examination by an ENT physician to address the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss and tinnitus, and another VA examination for the purpose of ascertaining the etiology of his complaints of tingling and cold intolerance in the left hand digits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's tables for rating hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his current hearing loss, given his in-service noise exposure and post-service noise exposure. The examiner must consider whether it is at least as likely as not that the hearing loss was caused by acoustic trauma in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing impairment did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to noise exposure during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to confirm the Veteran's reported service history.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required, including obtaining personnel records from USPS and private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's other issues regarding increased ratings and service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.