Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus, and hemorrhoids are presumed to have been incurred in service. The low back disorder is not related to service, but the knee disorders are considered presumptively due to exposure to burn pits. No effective date was assigned as all conditions were granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed sinus condition and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The claim for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as the evidence does not show that the current level of disability warrants a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to active duty. Service connection for high blood pressure was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not worsen as a result of his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain a clarifying medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA audiologic examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to service, specifically noise exposure in Vietnam. The examiner must consider the Veteran's contentions that damage occurred in service but became apparent later.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during service and are etiologically related to his active service, granting the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 29, 2011 and remains at that level from September 29, 2011. The current ratings are not sufficient for the levels of disability present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of arthritis will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative have withdrawn their appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 30, 2009, and for a disability rating greater than 10 percent from July 30, 2009 to March 18, 2010.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, granting both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an audiometry examination and ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered in deciding the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that further development is necessary before it can determine the etiology of his other conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied them on their merits. The VA will notify the Veteran if further action is required.