Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment, thus a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for low back disability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and vertigo-like symptoms, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his tinnitus claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for folliculitis, reopening of service connection claims for upper respiratory and bilateral hearing loss disabilities were denied.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and attempting to verify a reported near miss from a rocket or mortar while serving in Vietnam. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, was found to have been incurred in service.,Bilateral hearing loss was also determined to be related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to the service-connected head injury with residual headaches and dizziness.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining information about Maryland CNC testing results and ensuring compliance with VA examination procedures.

The Veteran's hearing loss has consistently been rated at 30 percent, with no evidence of worsening during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were also not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that may be present.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA examiner's opinion was based on incorrect facts, and a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, PTSD, and major depressive disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability that had been continuously rated totally disabling for at least ten years prior to his death. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining new VA examinations to address his heart disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection of ear disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these claims were not granted as service connection.