Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to military noise exposure, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, but the weight of medical evidence is in relative equipoise for both conditions. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, including noise exposure. The Board found the evidence against a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to their impact on his ability to communicate in various environments.

The Board has determined that the purchase of a home therapy spa is necessary to help promote the Veteran's independence in daily life due to his severe disabilities, including diabetes and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was not granted staged evaluations or higher disability ratings.

The Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and her peripheral vestibulopathy with dizziness and loss of balance and otitis media are not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his auditory acuity levels corresponded to level I in each ear.

The Board found no current medical diagnosis of hearing loss or right knee disability and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA otolaryngologic examination and further development of his claims file.

The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rate of special monthly compensation for aid and attendance under section 1114(r) due to his current SMC rates.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no probative medical evidence of a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at a 20 percent rating since June 2008. The VA audiologists found the private audiometry results to be consistent with the VA examinations, and did not support higher ratings based on current or past findings.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable since October 1, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not show a more favorable rating based on the criteria in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with metastasis and resulting radical neck resection are all found to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's credible account of inservice acoustic trauma and continued presence of tinnitus since discharge from service is sufficient to establish service connection. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of available service treatment records.