Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were rated at 10 percent prior to December 23, 2008 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's shell fragment wounds right forearm with scars resulted in a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's tinnitus was rated at 10 percent since October 23, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic/depressive disorder), head trauma residuals, or hypertension in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating higher than 40 percent for thoracic spine disc disease and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran appealed this decision, but the Court affirmed it in May 2008, making the Board's decision final.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to July 19, 2010; between July 19, 2010 and October 31, 2010; or since November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to a decision being made. The case is remanded for further development regarding his hypertension claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the final September 1999 decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss or a left shoulder disability for VA purposes, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin rash on the upper thighs, and pulmonary sarcoidosis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or any exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, including reflux, hiatal hernia, and diarrhea. The claim of reopening the Veteran's previously denied hearing loss claim is also granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that his current condition is not related to active service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying ACDUTRA service dates and scheduling VA examinations to address the appellant's claims. The issues include reopening previously denied claims of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right foot disability, as well as determining whether new evidence supports reopening other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service and insufficient evidence to establish a link between current hearing loss and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right eye disorder, and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The appeals were based on his active military service from March 1964 to November 1970.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at a 30 percent for the period prior to June 6, 2003 and in excess of 40 percent beginning on June 6, 2003. The Board found that his claims were not supported by evidence warranting an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and was not caused by his time in military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the criteria for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.