Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 1, 2007 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent after November 1, 2007 was also denied.

The Board found that service-connected PTSD and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death from cardiovascular disabilities. The expert opinion concluded there was less than a 50% chance that these conditions caused or aggravated his fatal cardiac conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examination did not find a link between current symptoms and military noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss for VA purposes at separation, but there was a minimal increase in his hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current bilateral hearing loss and service. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to military service, including exposure to loud noises during training with rifles.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. Service connection is also established for tinnitus, with a rating of 10 percent effective from January 2008. The claims for increased ratings for chronic rhinitis and chronic epididymitis remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including a lack of audiometric testing. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service aboard ship.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and granted the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant currently suffers from hearing loss that is the result of a disease or injury incurred in active duty service, and he also currently suffers from tinnitus, which is secondary to his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptomatology from service are not credible due to the normal separation examination and the 37-year lapse between service and a report of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining Army Reserve records and providing an addendum to the VA audiological opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for left eyelid ptosis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The service connection was not established as the conditions were either noted at induction or unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran was exposed to noise during his active duty service, leading to current diagnosed disabilities.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus based on direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure.