Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypothyroidism, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that the etiological opinion provided by the VA examiner in April 2010 is not clear and inadequate. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss needs to be re-evaluated with a new etiological opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant is also provided with another duty to notify letter and an opportunity to submit evidence or indicate if she wishes representation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of a March 2008 VA medical examination and opinion, as well as unclear records from Moncrief Army Community Hospital. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as consideration of lay statements regarding incidents in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or a bilateral elbow condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found no link between the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his service, including exposure to noise during National Guard training as an auto mechanic. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry regarding the Veteran's claims of hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently being reviewed by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service exposure, and thus remands for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral hearing loss. The RO must also consider whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be causally related to in-service noise exposure, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to inadequate VA examination, lack of review of the claims file, and need for further audiometric testing.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level I in the right ear and Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, osteoarthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noises during military training. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus disorders.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability, as measured by audiometric testing, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Board found that his current level of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was consistent with a 0 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his erectile dysfunction is denied as it does not have a direct relationship to service.