Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his hearing loss or a rating higher than 50 percent for his PTSD from April 20, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating as his puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for additional examination of his low back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to consider a recent VA audiological examination report.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory disorder, to include sinusitis and bronchitis, are not supported by the evidence of record. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee chondromalacia is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore service connection is denied. However, the right ear hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure in service and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left thigh pain, right ankle pain (due to gout), and left ankle pain (due to gout) as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found no in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury related to these conditions, and the Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his exposure to engine noise during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while disabling, do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including exposure to noise during service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are not related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and hyperventilation syndrome, finding that he does not have current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for burning feet has been withdrawn. The hypertension and skin cancer claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, gastrointestinal disability, allergy and sinus disabilities, low white blood cell count, and dental treatment purposes were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure sufficient to cause current disability. The VA audiologist opined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.