Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss in either ear due to disease or injury incurred or aggravated by active duty service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an outstanding request for a video-conference hearing. The appeal will be held in abeyance until further notice.

The Board has determined that there is reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss in the left ear is currently rated as noncompensable (0%). The right ear hearing loss has not been recognized as a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss, and initial compensable evaluations were granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for its decision regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran is to be provided with a new VA examination to determine if any right ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the December 1995 rating decision. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support a finding of aggravation during active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for borderline personality disorder is denied because personality disorders are not diseases or injuries subject to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not found to be a current disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development needs.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are found to have onset during service. Service connection is also granted for the skin disability, characterized as seborrheic dermatitis/folliculitis of the scalp, with a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and/or otosclerosis may be service-connected, but requires additional information regarding periods of active duty or ACDUTRA to determine if such conditions arose during those periods. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, as his most recent VA audiological examination was five years ago and he contends that his hearing has worsened.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit this information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current hearing loss within one year post-service. The VA medical opinion found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not caused by or a result of exposure to high levels of noise while on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that his claim for a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including traumatic brain injury, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, sleep disorder, bilateral elbow disability, hearing loss of the left ear, tinnitus, cold weather injuries of the upper and lower extremities, are not supported by the evidence. The Board has determined that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a laceration to the right hand/palm are causally related to his military service. The claim is granted.