Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiologic examination and review of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was not addressed due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure and the medical opinion does not establish a link between current hearing loss and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his hearing loss and arthritis of the knees, but granted a non-compensable rating for his service-connected cervical spine condition. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a respiratory condition was not addressed as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of clear nexus evidence in the VA audiologist's opinion. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination by an ENT physician or audiologist.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service, were not shown to be related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

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

The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted based on the Veteran's credible testimony and medical evidence linking his current condition to noise exposure in service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot fungus due to lack of current disability evidence, and the absence of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current noncompensable rating for left ear hearing loss does not accurately reflect the severity of his disability, as evidenced by VA audiological examination results. The evidence shows a progression in hearing impairment over time, but the preponderance of the evidence is against granting an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records. The claims are related to his service-connected degenerative joint disease at L1/L2 with annular tear at L5/S1, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, with the right ear meeting the criteria of a disability. The left ear does not meet these criteria and thus no service connection can be established.

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

The Veteran was at least as likely as not exposed to asbestos in service, and the weight of the competent evidence is in relative equipoise on the question of whether his respiratory disability manifested by pulmonary asbestosis is related to the in-service asbestos exposure. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran, his respiratory disability is due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.