Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder did not onset in service and is not causally related to service. The claim for service connection for a skin disorder is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 30 percent disabling effective May 18, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his condition not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, left knee disorder, or low back disorder that is etiologically related to service. The evidence shows no in-service hearing loss and only mild sensorineural hearing loss at 4000 Hz in the right ear post-service. The left knee disorder was noted pre-service but did not result from service. The low back disorder does not appear to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability did not have its onset in active military service and denied service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since September 6, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure as a coxswain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The appellant's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are supported by medical evidence, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA and private treatment records, the Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a link between the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Board granted the appellant's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied his claims for residuals of a rectal fistula and hypertension. The initial rating claim for right ear hearing loss was addressed as part of the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss in the left ear is determined to be aggravated by service, while right ear hearing loss developed during service. Service connection for both ears of hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and boils on the back and buttocks, finding that these conditions are due to disease or injury incurred in service. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied as it is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bicuspid aortic valve disorder, tinnitus, and right knee disability. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to meet VA criteria for a disability rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, which he attributes to noise exposure during his military service. The case is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's right ear tinnitus was also raised but is being referred to the RO for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinion. Further development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and affording the Veteran a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's monthly VA disability compensation benefits are too small to allow for a reasonable apportionment, resulting in financial hardship for both the appellant and the Veteran. The Board denied the claim for apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits on behalf of his minor child.

The Board has remanded the case for further development on the claims of service connection, increased rating for hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's post operative scar due to a left inguinal herniopathy does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. His hearing loss and leg condition were denied service connection.