Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hearing impairment has been rated as noncompensable throughout the initial rating period, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disorder related to his military service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his hypertension, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction with his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensably disabling since the grant of service connection. The VA examinations and audiometry results do not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to his active duty service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the VA audiologist who provided an opinion regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a compensable rating prior to March 12, 2010 or an initial rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and consideration of all his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, including exposure to noise trauma. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a hearing before a local RO member. The claims are now pending with the St. Petersburg, Florida, RO.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C. The Veteran's application to reopen his claim was not timely, as he did not appeal the July 2006 rating decision.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a rating of 40 percent effective December 21, 2011. The reduction from 50 to 30 percent was proper and the appeal for restoration of the 50 percent rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his hearing loss and otitis media due to outstanding records, further development of private treatment records, and VA examinations.

The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied all issues related to service connection, finding that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA rating purposes and did not meet the criteria for increased evaluations for his right knee, lumbar strain, and dermatitis/dermatophytosis of the face and groin.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus are not related to active service, including as due to a service-connected disability. Therefore, these claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and perforation of the left eardrum were denied. Service connection was granted for anxiety disorder with a rating of 50%, and postoperative tympanoplasty of the right ear with a rating of 10%. The maximum benefit has been granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected and rated at 70 percent. His PTSD has been rated based on its severity since September 26, 2007.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claim for an increased rating for a scar on the dorsum of the left foot is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than level II hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.