Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, right ear tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. For the left eye condition, it was determined that there is no current disability in either eye as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's spot on his left eye during his second period of service was found to be related to preexisting conditions and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 3, 2011 to October 7, 2011 is denied as the conditions treated were not service-connected and there was no prior authorization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

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

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently receiving a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also granted these claims as both conditions are found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the cause of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as it may be related to noise exposure during his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no legal basis for the assigned ratings, and the evidence does not support earlier effective dates. The Veteran's exposure to noise during military service has not been shown to result in current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or at the time of separation. The Veteran's contention that her hearing decreased in service is not supported by the medical evidence.,Service connection was granted for dry eyes, with an initial 10% evaluation under DC 6001 (keratitis). The Veteran has pain and episodic incapacity due to dryness, requiring rest.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to exposure to loud noise in service. However, arthritis of the feet is not service-connected as it did not manifest within a year of separation from service and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease separate from the toes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for serous otitis media, claimed as hearing loss.

The Veteran has hearing loss in the left ear that is attributable to his time on active duty, and this condition is currently service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed heart disorder related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.