Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including any noise exposure therein.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset during his military service and is not related to his active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 10, 2011. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left ankle disability. The claim for service connection of a low back disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are associated with his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional VAMC treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the VA examination provided was inadequate and additional evidence is needed, including Social Security Administration records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss alone do not render him unemployable due to their effects on his ability to perform nursing duties.

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

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headaches have been granted. His bilateral hearing loss is due to noise trauma in service, and his headaches are also attributable to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss that was caused by his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss, back disorder, or sleep apnea that is related to service. As such, his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and his acquired psychiatric condition is currently evaluated at 50 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine the current level of severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is reasonably attributable to his period of military service, and grants service connection for this disability.