Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to her active service. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the August 2006 audiologist's examination report, and a new addendum is required with clear reasoning for any opinions provided.

The Board has ordered a remand to provide the Veteran with proper notice regarding his claim of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and service connection, finding that there was no valid claim prior to June 5, 2003, for urethral stricture with urinary tract infection and prostatitis. The Board also found that a bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service, specifically his in-service noise exposure during his second period of active duty from 2004 to 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder, characterized by corns and calluses, was manifested during active duty. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, effective April 13, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for any point in time.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound scars of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent, while his bilateral hearing loss is rated as Level II prior to May 8, 2007. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but no final decision on this issue has been made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration due to the need to address how his hearing loss affects his occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dermatitis of the arms, hands, and left foot have been denied. The evidence received since the last final denial is not new or material to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to his active military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

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

The Board found no evidence of current PTSD, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board finds that the appellant currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of noise exposure in active duty service, and grants his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since June 6, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss that is service-connected. Her audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service noise exposure. The appeal will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than Level II in his right ear and Level II in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.