Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is unrelated to his military service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not develop hearing loss during service, for many years after discharge from service, or as a result of his service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated during service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The relationship between his Crohn's disease and hypertension to his active duty service are addressed through a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anemia were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate has been remanded due to insufficient information regarding his actual nonservice-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain additional medical records, including from SSA, and schedule a VA examination to determine if he is in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his claim for tinnitus was withdrawn by him. Therefore, the initial evaluations for both conditions have been denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service. The claim for hypertension is also granted, but without a specific rating assigned as it remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and that the criteria for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand and right hand were not met.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability rating was less than 70% and thus did not meet the minimum TDIU percentage requirements. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further development before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have been rated as 60 percent disabling from July 21, 2006. As a result of these service-connected disabilities, the Veteran has been unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 17, 2007.