Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right ear hearing loss disability as there is no evidence to support a current disability.,VA treatment records show that the Veteran reported back pain in 1986, but physical examination at discharge from active service did not reveal any abnormalities. The first documented post-service complaints were in 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the average impairment of earning capacity resulting from his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current disability of the left index finger, and the medical evidence does not support a finding of residuals from an in-service injury.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his active duty military service, granting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection of residuals of a left knee replacement, right knee replacement, left shoulder replacement, and hypertension. The appeals in regard to PTSD evaluation, GERD rating, and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his ability to work, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an audiologic examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his claimed conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his period of active service, with symptoms dating back to his time in Vietnam. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with exposure to noise during military duties. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. After considering all the evidence, including a private audiologist's opinion linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his military service, the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during or is related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of the right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for hearing loss and for an increased rating for PTSD. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the hearing loss claim, and there was no CUE in the May 2005 denial of service connection for hearing loss. For PTSD, the Veteran's current disability level is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable due to their impact on his employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is related to his military service, as it began in service and was likely due to exposure to loud noise during service. As such, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on VA standards.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as 10 percent disabling since March 23, 2011.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, initial compensable ratings for left and right shin splints, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran did not have a current disability related to idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, his shin splints were manifested by subjective complaints of pain with no findings of malunion of the tibia or fibula, and his bilateral hearing loss was manifested by Level I hearing acuity in both ears.