Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has not decided whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran's current hearing loss is currently under review, with a request for an examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and thus service connection is granted. Similarly, the Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his current disability picture is adequately contemplated by the applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective July 30, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated VCAA notification.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a proper VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, while his hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a disability. His psychiatric symptoms are attributed to alcohol abuse rather than service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar strain have been granted, but the appeal is pending for a higher rating for the lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the form of a VA examination to assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The appeal will be remanded to allow this development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. Resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the extent of hearing loss and the nature and likely etiology of any psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected hearing loss is also on appeal.