Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated using VA audiometric testing, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for an updated opinion on whether the Veteran's hearing loss was incurred or aggravated during his Active Duty Reserve (ACDUTRA) periods.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since April 21, 2006. The most recent VA examination in June 2011 showed Level II hearing in the right ear and Level III hearing in the left ear, which does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were granted. The claim for hypertension was not adjudicated by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, and skin disorder were denied in previous rating decisions. The new evidence does not support reopening these claims.,Tinnitus was denied as not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as he does not have hearing loss or tinnitus related to his military service. The right foot and leg disorders are also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death, a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The appellant was granted TDIU benefits for accrued purposes based on her husband's pending claim at the time of his death.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have had its onset in service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board found that his current level of disability did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his records and examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including treatment records from his Naval Reserve service and civilian employment with the United States Postal Service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and right ear. The May 2005 RO denial remains final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-polio syndrome was incurred during his active military service, giving him the benefit of doubt.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from June 26, 2006. Service connection has been established for residuals of tuberculosis, with a current rating of 10 percent.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle strain, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for those conditions, were granted. The effective dates are set at April 25, 2006.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to noise during service. The evidence did not show an increase in severity of these disabilities during service.