Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his visual impairment, arthritis, and hearing loss is established, warranting special monthly pension.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including acoustic trauma from noise exposure. The VA examinations did not find any evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a current disability rating of 40 percent effective September 11, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The vision impairment was also not linked to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to sexual assaults in service, and she meets the criteria for service connection. Her bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not found to be related to her active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence.

The VA audiological examinations revealed that the appellant's hearing loss disability had been clinically shown to be manifested by no worse than Level IV hearing in the left ear and Level II in the right ear. The criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected, as there was no evidence linking it to his military service. The other conditions were also denied due to lack of evidence connecting them to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as his hearing impairment was at levels consistent with a 0 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (low back syndrome, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss) is 50%, which does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not met the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right Achilles tendonitis with tarsal tunnel release, left Achilles tendonitis with residuals and tarsal tunnel release, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal for hepatitis C is remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was granted in July 2010. However, the VA audiometric examination conducted at that time showed level I hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.