Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including review of a private audiogram submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, TMJ disorder, and an initial compensable rating for a cervical spine disorder. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus but not for right shoulder strain or neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A VA audiology examination will be scheduled to determine if the current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to active duty service and the claim for this condition is granted. The Board finds that a grant of service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disorder (DDD of the cervical spine), and left knee disorder (claimed as left knee patellar tendonitis and Osgood-Schlatter's disease) is warranted based on service incurrence.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are service-connected disabilities, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The case is being remanded to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and VA medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA audiometric examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have persisted since. Obesity was not found to be related to service. Other conditions were also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant initial ratings in excess of those previously assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus, type II with complications have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on his combat experience. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and skin disorder of both feet due to in-service noise exposure and other factors.

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

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that an updated VA examination and records are needed to fully evaluate the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a stomach disability, which were previously denied in October 2002. The Veteran now has established a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and his spouse provided lay testimony supporting worsening symptoms since active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to be related to active duty service. The evidence did not establish a medical nexus between the Veteran's current complaints of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.