Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6100. The effective date for this grant of service connection remains January 5, 2007.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability. The case is remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any ear disabilities, including tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but he is not entitled to any compensation as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated at 20 percent since the claim was filed, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since June 2007. The VA examinations conducted have consistently shown that the Veteran's hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, and a 10% evaluation has been assigned from August 30, 2010 to November 23, 2010. Prior to this period, the criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at entry and separation from service. The VA examinations and private medical opinions do not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection, particularly regarding tinnitus. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any currently-diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not related to his military noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 60 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to obtain additional VA treatment records, including those from the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.