Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's defective hearing of both ears was at least as likely as not related to military service, with an increase in severity during his second period of active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for compression fracture at T9 with osteoporosis due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, as there is evidence of current disability related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more detailed accounting of his educational benefits usage and to address the appellant's assertion that he had about 51/2 months of service under Title 10, between 1991 and 1995, that was not considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to further development, including a request for clarification from the VA examiner who conducted the April 2008 audiology examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claims of service connection for CAD, respiratory condition, and bilateral hearing loss are not addressed as the Veteran did not request a hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma in service, including during active duty and Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). The Board grants these claims.

The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable from the evidence of record that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to March 9, 2004. Therefore, an effective date earlier than March 9, 2004 for the award of TDIU benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted due to noise exposure during service. However, his claims for peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands, as well as erectile dysfunction, secondary to diabetes mellitus or PTSD, have not met the criteria for service connection.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. Service connection was denied for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for various hearing and balance conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a 20 percent initial rating. The Board also found that the criteria for a staged rating of 60 percent were met beginning December 11, 2007. However, his TDIU claim is not adjudicated as it has not been previously addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA audiologists concluded that both conditions are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is causally related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral thumb disorder are not due to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right pre-auricular scar and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent at the time of his death.