Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the appeal is dismissed as there are no pending issues to be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorder was aggravated by his military service, and thus service connection is granted for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination with an audiologist to determine the etiology and severity of any hearing loss or tinnitus disorders. The issues on appeal are also remanded due to procedural errors in the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ear hearing loss or sleep apnea, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability remains at 30 percent, as his most recent VA examination did not show an increase in severity that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found no current chronic lung condition, and denied service connection for a lung disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not first manifested in service or during the first post-service year, and the competent and credible evidence of record is against a finding that right ear hearing loss is related to military service. Tinnitus was also not first manifested in service and the competent and credible evidence of record is against a finding that tinnitus is related to military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection. For the pilonidal cyst issue, no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a link between these conditions and his military service. The criteria for service connection have been met in both cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and panic disorder were all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded to the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral Achilles tendon condition. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered a result of noise exposure in service. The issues regarding bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims were incurred during service as a result of his exposure to acoustic trauma. The Board finds that a VA medical examination is necessary prior to further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection are not addressed as this is a procedural matter.