Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or symptoms within one year post-service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are more likely due to age-related presbycusis and civilian occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling conflict for his Travel Board hearing. The claims are now pending and will be rescheduled.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and is remanding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the effective date set at May 31, 2006. The claim for sensorineural hearing loss was dismissed as withdrawn.

The reduction of the disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 100 percent to 20 percent was proper as there was a material improvement in the degree of disability associated with the Veteran's condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as he currently has Level I hearing acuity in each ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and a need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from various doctors and conducting an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a retroactive effective date of April 19, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as to ensure all pertinent records are obtained. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the RO, and he is currently rated at 30 percent. The case is remanded to obtain VA audiological evaluation records and arrange for a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, right ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied. Additionally, the effective date of the total disability rating based on individual unemployability was not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for an extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records, arrange for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and provide an appropriate VA examination regarding his claimed left hand injury and shoulder disorders. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noises from aircraft engines and explosives. As a result, the appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of a back injury.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for onychomycosis and tinea pedis, as it only involved 2% of total body surface.

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