Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CFS and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current disabilities attributable to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or aggravation, despite credible assertions of noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia with medial meniscus tear of both knees, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and hearing loss. The noncompensable rating assigned for his hearing loss disability is upheld.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine the current extent and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 30 percent since November 4, 2008. The previous evaluations were 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of frostbite of the feet, and residuals of frostbite of the face. The Veteran's current diagnoses of left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are in equipoise with the opinion that these conditions were not incurred during active service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are found to be related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the schedular criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records do not show hearing loss disability or tinnitus during his active duty, and there is no evidence of a nexus between current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus and his military service. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claim for an initial higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining service treatment records for the Veteran's active duty period and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective from October 6, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic left leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic neck disability, chronic residuals of a head injury with jaw bone and upper and lower teeth problems, chronic sinusitis, chronic bilateral eye disability, and an initial compensable evaluation for left non-displaced fracture of the distal radius.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tension headaches are being remanded for additional development.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently evaluated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that further examination and development are necessary before a decision can be made.