Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence, including additional examination and review of medical records. The claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested by the appellant. The evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from May 16, 2008 remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and increased the rating for hearing loss, but denied a higher rating for hearing loss prior to December 22, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability. The Board also found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for a supplemental medical opinion, clarification of Social Security benefits status, and further evidentiary development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, a gastroesophageal disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of post-service manifestations of hearing loss or any current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus, and thus did not meet VA criteria for disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The disorders were first manifested many years after service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims, including obtaining complete service personnel records and a VA examination for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, lung disability, bilateral hearing loss, and dysentery require additional development due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scars, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A medical opinion is also required to determine whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with hypertension, dermatophytosis, and bilateral hearing loss effective June 27, 2005. The Veteran's claims were filed on the same day as these determinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is on appeal. The case has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence regarding his right ear hearing loss, which may affect the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found that the Veteran's cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation were unrelated to any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 18, 2011 is denied as the current evaluation of 20 percent adequately compensates his level of impairment.