Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and a lung disability (emphysema and COPD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional audiogram results and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at noncompensable (0%) for the initial rating period prior to July 3, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and refractive errors are denied as there is no current diagnosis of CFS or any disability pattern pertaining to such for consideration of an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptoms illness.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records, including his Naval Reserves discharge examination and any other relevant in-service medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and initial rating for left ear hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. This includes obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA social and industrial survey, and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions are more likely due to age-related changes rather than noise exposure during military service. The claim for an increased rating for left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted in August 2009, with a noncompensable rating assigned from September 25, 2008. The RO later increased the rating to 10 percent effective October 12, 2011.,For PTSD, the Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted in December 2008 with a 30 percent rating assigned from August 19, 2008. The RO later increased the rating to 50 percent effective October 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain any pertinent VA treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated following completion of these actions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding service connection for cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for additional actions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found no basis for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, but the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is remanded due to incomplete development. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases in the June 2011 decision, specifically because the Board overlooked the results of the January 2010 VA audiometric examination. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum from the examiner who provided the November 2011 report. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service. The claim of service connection for a back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability for hearing loss and insufficient evidence to establish a link between in-service noise exposure and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear, and the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned for both conditions.