Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, specifically his role as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist where he was exposed to loud noise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and is less than credible with regard to the onset of tinnitus. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, meets the threshold requirement for special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound due to his TDIU status. He does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with findings ranging from Level I to Level II in both ears. The Board finds that these ratings are adequate and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic disability within one year post-service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The issue of hearing loss in either ear remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right ankle strain and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for the right ankle disability or establish service connection for the bilateral hearing loss.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral knee disability, and other conditions have been denied. The effective dates for some of the granted benefits are not earlier than specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or related to service, and did not have current residuals of mumps. The claim for service connection for residuals of mumps was denied as there were no complaints of current symptomatology regarding mumps.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further consideration, including scheduling a hearing in an alternate location due to his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and finds that the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure are credible, leading to a finding of chronic and continuous tinnitus since military service. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss as it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA criteria for a hearing loss condition, and his claim does not meet any presumptive basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely attributable to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.

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