Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to service, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at zero percent prior to August 31, 2009. From that date, the disability is rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as zero percent disabling, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria and thus not establishing a basis for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted. For the period prior to December 7, 2009, he is entitled to a rating of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. From December 7, 2009, his disability warrants a 20 percent rating. His neurological impairment of the lower extremities also meets criteria for separate 10 percent ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and further development due to an increase in the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss since his last VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and denied the claim. The tinnitus issue remains pending as it was not addressed in the July 2009 VA examination report.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to noise. The Board finds that the current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and employment background, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action due to a need for additional examination and clinical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The VA determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and no new evidence or decisions are provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examination in determining the etiology of his current disabilities. The Veteran must undergo further examinations to address these issues.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss of the right ear, finding that there was no pending claim prior to October 20, 2006.

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