Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection applications for right hip disability, left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, residuals of cold injury (feet), and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is based on new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of private medical records.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from March 2010. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a higher rating than previously assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable from May 4, 2006 to September 28, 2010 and at 10 percent effective September 29, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for asthma, a spot on the left lung, bilateral hearing loss disability, thrombocytopenia, and dermatophytosis of bilateral feet. The appeal was not about service connection for herbicide exposure.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of chronicity after service. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure were inconsistent with his service records and subsequent medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher evaluation based on his audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide an adequate VA audiological examination and to consider the effects of his bilateral hearing loss on his ordinary activities.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is rated at 10% and his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10% since February 16, 2011. The appeal for increased ratings has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service-related acoustic trauma, including exposure during basic training and noise from the hospital motor pool. Therefore, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, but rated at 0 percent (non-compensable). The appeal is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from May 12, 2008 through June 27, 2011 is denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Rating Schedule. Since June 28, 2011, he does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent due to his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial increased evaluation for PTSD, a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and a restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus. The reduction from 10 to zero percent for tinnitus was found to be proper.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied as the schedular evaluations meet his disability levels. The appeal regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.