Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by a numeric rating of II on the right and I on the left, resulting in a noncompensable disability evaluation. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is causally related to his military service, but there is no evidence of current left ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred in service, as there was a documented increase in auditory thresholds during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his hearing loss rating from 80% to noncompensable was denied. The Board found that the procedural requirements for a reduction were satisfied, and there was no evidence showing actual improvement in his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the appellant's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated by in-service treatment for Meniere's disease, including gentamycin injections. However, there is no evidence to support a worsening of tinnitus as a result of these treatments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evaluations and records, including a VA audiological evaluation for hearing loss and PTSD examination. The RO/AMC will also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records from January 2009 to the present.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, sinusitis, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus disorders. The RO/AMC will obtain service treatment records from his period of active duty in the United States Army from January to June 1978, verify his periods of reserve service, and schedule him for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 14, 2008 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no earlier claim received.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation and pension purposes, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, as his combined rating is only 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left and right hand disorders. However, these claims are being REMANDED to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The Board finds that these appeals are dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is a direct result of the veteran's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, including noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. The VA audiologist concluded that the hearing loss is less likely caused by or a result of his military noise exposure.