Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not caused or aggravated by his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral artery disease of the upper extremities were denied as these conditions are not service-connected.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss disability as contemplated by 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 and claimed bilateral hearing loss is not attributable to service nor was such present within one year of separation from service.,Tinnitus was also determined not attributable to service.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for hearing loss, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, hypertension, scar (upper back), right ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has not found any additional service-connected conditions or issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a right thumb disability, left shoulder disability, testicular disability, diabetes mellitus, or migraine headaches in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to in-service hazardous noise exposure. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lay testimony and competent medical evidence establish that he has current hearing loss disability and recurrent tinnitus that began during active service and are related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, headache disorder, and diabetes mellitus were also denied as there was no credible evidence to support their service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and active duty, with the VA examiner stating it is not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss disability, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran also needs an examination to address his complaints of balance problems, vertigo, headaches, and nausea.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective from May 30, 2009 was granted by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure in service. The VA has not obtained his service treatment records, but the Veteran reports a history of hearing problems since service. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to noise exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hepatitis C are not related to his active service.,However, the Veteran's right foot disability is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, with level XI hearing in the left ear and no more than level II hearing in the right ear, warrants a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.