Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing disability was aggravated by his active military service. The issues of right arm numbness and tingling, chest pain, and dizziness are remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, with a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease are as likely as not attributable to his period of active duty for training, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has reviewed the evidence submitted since the final November 2007 rating decision and finds that it is not new and material for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and his military service. A VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as his combined rating is 60 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that his age is a greater factor in his unemployment than his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective February 11, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 40 percent disabling from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating at any period during the appeal.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The claims for right hip and left hip disabilities are pending with further development required, while the issue of initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 13, 2008, for PTSD was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current right hand disorder that can be linked to the Veteran's military service. The current diagnosis is arthritis, which is unrelated to service.,No evidence of a current right foot disorder has been found related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be manifested by worse than a level II impairment of auditory acuity in the right ear and level I impairment of acuity in the left ear. The Veteran's disorder characterized by loss of balance has been found to be distinct from his service-connected tinnitus, but its relationship to service or service-connected conditions remains unclear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus both manifested during service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss due to a lack of current disability. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected back disability and entitlement to TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct necessary examinations, and determine the current level of severity of his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. Further development is needed to determine the appropriate disposition of the left and right ear hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's current tinnitus disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.