Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 20 percent effective May 1, 2008 was proper based on the evidence showing improvement in his hearing levels.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a combined rating of 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for epididymitis was denied in December 1956 due to the improvement of his condition without recurrence or residuals.,New evidence submitted since the December 1956 decision does not relate to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, as it is not new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, otitis media (ear infections), and punctured left ear drum are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a misaddressed supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are still pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the appellant's testimony at a hearing suggests he may have had pre-existing hearing issues prior to military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to discrepancies in the audiometric evaluations. The case will be adjudicated again after a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no evidence of exceptional patterns warranting a higher rating. The claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure during combat operations in the Pacific Theater. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA criteria or tinnitus during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and/or disease, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating since April 28, 2005.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 20 percent, effective December 29, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current audiometric findings.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation schedule.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 50 percent effective June 9, 2010. The previous evaluations were not sufficient to address the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or thyroid disorder for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation from service and lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service combat-related acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if there is a nexus between his current hearing loss and active duty service.