Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition and the examiner opined that the noise exposure during service did not cause the current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and continues to this day, with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as it did not provide any objective link between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his period of military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence of current disability. The issue regarding the reopening of his bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clinical records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing the claim of entitlement to total disability rating for individual unemployability. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorder are also left undisturbed.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has determined that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of private audiograms submitted by Dr. Goldofsky.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the Veteran's noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private audiological evaluation results and ensuring that the claims file contains all relevant records. The case will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board finds that March 29, 2011 is the correct date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date for this award is therefore March 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or ringing in ears during service or within one year thereafter. The Veteran's current conditions were not caused by noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to his military noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for the Veteran's appendectomy scar, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits information. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations in excess of the currently assigned ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The RO granted a 40 percent evaluation from February 23, 2004 to June 29, 2006, and then a 30 percent evaluation as of June 30, 2006. A 50 percent evaluation was assigned as of May 6, 2009.

The Veteran has a ratable bilateral hearing loss disability, but the most probative evidence indicates it is unrelated to his military service.