Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board found no current evidence of hearing loss disability in the right ear and determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not begin during service. The Board also found his assertions regarding onset of hearing loss in service to be not credible, given the long period between discharge from active service and medical documentation of the condition.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder and related sleep impairment symptoms are due to service in Desert Storm. His bilateral great toe osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or are not attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cardiovascular disorder.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the criteria were not met and that the Veteran's disability falls within the noncompensable rating range under Table VI or Table VIa of the VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied by the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in moderate impairment prior to July 24, 2008. From October 3, 2009 onwards, his PTSD caused severe symptoms but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the reduction of his left knee disability rating was found to be improper. The Veteran did not have new and material evidence submitted to reopen several of his claims.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure during basic training.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. The Board concurs with this determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss as a result of noise exposure during active duty service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist scapholunate disassociation, status-post scaphulonate ligament reconstruction, was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and an audiology examination to address the nature and etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied in January 1994. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for congenital partial transitional vertebra L5, left with low back pain; right ankle disability; and left ear hearing loss. The claim for a left ankle disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. A rating of 70 percent is granted for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss, status post mastoidectomy and history of left suppurative otitis media, was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted such a higher evaluation.