Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not file a timely Substantive Appeal for the July 2005 RO rating decision that denied service connection for acid reflux, hemorrhoids, infertility, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye disorders, and joint pain.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for right ear hearing loss, as there was no in-service manifestation of a disability and the current condition is not related to military service. The claims for increased evaluation for right knee disability and service connection for left knee disorder are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic bladder cancer claimed as the result of herbicide exposure was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for chronic tinnitus, but denied service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service due to exposure to loud noise from his military occupational specialty, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, schedule him for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and then readjudicate his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since October 2006, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the claim was received more than one year after separation from active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including active duty from October 1968 to October 1972. The VA medical opinions concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is less likely than not due to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2005. The claim for increased initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner found no nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Board found credible the Veteran's testimony of in-service noise exposure and granted service connection based on direct causation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, which are deemed related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to her military service and grants service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for increased evaluations for asthma. The RO continued a 10 percent disability rating for asthma from August 27, 2008 onwards but denied reopening of the hearing loss claim and granting an increase in rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.