Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and service incurrence may not be presumed. The claim for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss does not meet VA criteria and his tinnitus is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for hearing loss disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military noise exposure. Tinnitus was not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any left knee disorder. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The initial rating for arthritis of the right ankle was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately after service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions were less likely caused by military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been upheld as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, arm/wrist, and forearm/wrist disabilities, cervical spine, lumbar spine, left posterior rib cage disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right olecranon epicondylitis and sinus disability with headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability and is considering whether there is new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities and hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for hand disorders. The evidence did not establish a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his exposure to loud noises during active duty.

The Board has decided the case needs further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service, including in-service noise exposure. The claim will be returned for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision concludes that it is at least as likely as not that his current right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since December 1, 1991. The most recent VA examination in March 2011 showed Level I hearing loss in each ear, which corresponds to a 0 percent rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to and after March 30, 2011. The RO will consider whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment given all of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.