Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder and bilateral elbow disabilities due to overuse in service. The Veteran's congenital Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was aggravated by the physical demands of service.

The Veteran's hepatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions are all found to be related to his service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 30 percent rating from July 7, 2010. For the left ear disability, he is granted a 30 percent rating effective August 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's in-service exposure to loud noise during his duties as a machinist mate is supported by medical records showing significant hearing impairment at times during service, which continues today. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his active service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have onset during his active service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, the highest available rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes in his right ear, nor does he have tinnitus related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is determined to be the result of exposure to loud noise in service, and his claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of staged ratings in light of Fenderson.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was caused by hazardous noise exposure during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis. The decision on the issue of bilateral hearing loss is pending due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's genitourinary disorder other than erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, and his bilateral hearing loss is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than Level I auditory acuity in both ears.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service and concluded that the current right ear hearing loss is not related to service. The appellant's low back disorder was also denied as there was insufficient evidence linking it to service.

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

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing disability meeting VA criteria for service connection and concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 3, 2012 and in excess of 10 percent beginning on that date for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Service connection claims for a heart disorder, hypertension, and circulatory problems affecting the bilateral lower extremities were also addressed but not granted.