Hearing loss decisions — 2012

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of hearing loss or an eye disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has current disabilities of the ears, nose, or left ankle that are related to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as for a higher rating for left ankle fracture residuals. The Veteran's claim for increased disability evaluation remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease, a back disorder and a neck disorder are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation schedule. The Veteran's puretone threshold average and speech recognition score do not warrant any higher rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and to provide him with an audiological examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus he may have. The case will be returned for further appellate review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Type II diabetes mellitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The appellant's current conditions are believed to be related to his military service exposure to noise and herbicides.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found new and material evidence for Scheuermann's disease and denied other claims. The Veteran is still seeking service connection for his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The claim for Meniere's disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or retaining substantially gainful employment, and his current job as a welder does not qualify as marginal employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a disability exhibited by impaired vision, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining audiometric testing results and a new VA audiological evaluation to address the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability has been remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding all his service-connected disabilities and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), right arm numbness, left arm numbness, a sleep disorder, and a heart condition are also being remanded as additional development is needed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right arm numbness, left arm numbness, a sleep disorder, and a heart condition remain on appeal.