Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to exposure to loud noise in service, and the Board finds that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a medical examination and ensuring proper notification of his rights.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during active service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by hearing impairment corresponding to no worse than the criteria for a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, joint pain (attributed to arthritis/degenerative joint disease and bursitis), headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's exposure in the Republic of Vietnam is presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease with associated hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and headaches effective from September 23, 2004. This decision is based on the Veteran filing a claim specifically for Meniere's syndrome in September 2004.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his service. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel Board hearing and further development. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's stapedectomy residuals with vestibular impairment and vertigo are rated at 30 percent since February 26, 2008. The claims for higher ratings or TDIU were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, as they were diagnosed after he had already separated from active duty.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal concerning service connection for sinusitis is dismissed without prejudice. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rectal disability are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for an initial compensable rating for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the relationship of current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the July 2008 VA audiological examination results corresponded to auditory acuity level I in each ear, which corresponds to noncompensable disability under the rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be due to noise exposure during service, and thus granted service connection.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between current hearing impairment or tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current diagnoses and in-service noise exposure.