Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and further evidentiary review.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the Seattle RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his service records. The issues are whether he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of separation, and were not due to any in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss disability was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on an aggravation basis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral shoulder disorders. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure, while his left and right shoulder disorders are considered direct service connections based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining records regarding alleged stressful events in Vietnam and VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is therefore denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity is granted as these conditions are associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has found no evidence of tuberculosis related to the Veteran's service in the military. The claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Pending decisions on service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since July 6, 2011. The Board found that his tinnitus claim was not properly before the Board and remanded it for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation available. The Board found that his disability picture does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran filed timely NODs regarding his claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine injury, right shoulder injury, thoracic and lower lumbar spine injury, left knee injury, and right knee injury. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee limitations, tinnitus, sinusitis, degenerative joint disease, hearing loss, and malaria, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level IX, resulting in a noncompensable rating. As there was no service connection for right ear hearing loss during the relevant period and the Veteran did not seek service connection for any other conditions, the claim is denied.