Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss likely had its onset in service and is related to his military noise exposure, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's special separation benefits in the amount of $23,549.76 are properly recouped from his VA disability compensation due to the statutory requirement.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss to an extent recognized as a disability for VA purposes. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied because there is no credible evidence of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent rating effective April 6, 2010. The current ratings are appropriate as they reflect distinct time periods where the disability warranted different evaluations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not rated compensable prior to May 16, 2007.,From May 16, 2007 to August 9, 2010, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD has been granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD and a link between his in-service stressors and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and obtaining recent treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA audiology examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran is also determined to lack the mental capacity to handle VA funds due to his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the cases have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the evidence does not support a finding that the current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss will be remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during his period of active duty. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, a chronic back disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a travel board hearing at the RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is found to be related to her military service, and she has been granted service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial compensable rating for her left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.