Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not related to a disease or injury of service origin.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor and a current diagnosis of PTSD. The other issues were not addressed due to the lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service occupational noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a headache disorder. The VA examiner will need to consider the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and any other relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and attempting to obtain puretone audiometric testing results from previous VA outpatient visits.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an adequate examination, and the need for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since January 2, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a skin disease. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was not addressed as it is related to another issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since March 18, 2011. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulation, and therefore, his claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's constant ringing in her ears since the 1980s is related to military noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it pertains to a different issue.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his military service, as evidenced by exposure to loud noise during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied these claims. The claim for insomnia is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for hypertension and hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to exposure to loud noise during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and finds it at least as likely as not caused by service. The bilateral hearing loss claim will be remanded for additional development.