Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in test results and failure to comply with VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disorder and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as audiometric testing has not shown that the Veteran has hearing acuity worse than Level III in either ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the VA criteria for normal hearing, and his claimed noise exposure in service did not result in legally cognizable hearing loss. The claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and left knee were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are not related to the Veteran's military service. The decision did not address left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as Level I in both ears. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence received since the last examination. The Veteran's hearing loss is being evaluated again by a VA audiologist.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely due to exposure to noise during his military service. The claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD, as well as a total rating based on individual unemployability by reason of service-connected disability, remain pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee strains and denied her claims for shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure that he is accorded full compliance with the statutory duty to assist. Specifically, an additional VA examination for his hearing loss disability is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and degenerative disc disease are all related to his military service. The claims were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether any current diagnoses are related to service. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it meets VA criteria for a disability and is related to noise exposure in service, even though there was no organic ear injury or disease found during service. The decision also acknowledges conflicting opinions on whether the current hearing loss is aggravated by post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee disability. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability in October 2004, finding no nexus to service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but it did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.