Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 27, 2010 was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from May 27, 2010 to October 17, 2010 were not met.

The Veteran's claim for non-service connected pension prior to March 2011 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of 'permanently and totally disabled' due to his disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of permanent total disability, particularly given the Veteran's age and employment status.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of exceptional patterns or service-connected conditions aggravating the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence of a link between current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of the claimed conditions during or since service, and they are not related to his active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Given the benefit of doubt, the Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board finds that the appellant's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has resulted in weakness and numbness with occasional, partial left foot drop tantamount to no worse than moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Therefore, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification of private audiogram methods and potential application of 38 C.F.R. § 4.86.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including inservice acoustic trauma. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise from artillery fire, rifle range, and aircraft. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service noise exposure. The evidence shows a history of hearing loss and tinnitus since service, with no indication of pre-existing conditions or other theories of service connection.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance of another was found to be due to service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD, duodenal ulcer disease, and tinnitus. The claim is granted from October 19, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining verification of his service periods and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board implicitly denied service connection for tinnitus in 1970 but reopened the claim and granted service connection for hearing loss. The decision is mixed as it did not explicitly deny service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded as the VA examination report did not comply with the requirements of the remand.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of worsening since the last examination in May 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that he did not have current disability in either ear as defined by VA standards. The Board also found that his left ear hearing loss was caused by an acoustic neuroma, which began during active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted. The respiratory disorder claim remains pending and requires additional development.