Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of current diagnosis meeting VA standards. The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and further review is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The evidence did not show exposure to Agent Orange, and there is no medical nexus between the current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain disability. The issue regarding the compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA audiological examination and consideration of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his claim of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to in-service noise exposure, and compensably disabling tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss were not shown within one year of his discharge from active duty. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA audiologic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore service connection cannot be granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the criteria for a TDIU have therefore not been met.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was found to be at least as severe as Level XI in the right ear and Level I in the left ear prior to July 23, 2009. From July 23, 2009, it was determined that his hearing loss was at least as severe as Level VIII in the right ear and Level I in the left ear. Neither of these levels meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various conditions and exposure claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The applications to reopen the claims for service connection for condyloma acuminatum (scarring of the genital area) and tinnitus have been granted, but not for hypertension with kidney transplant or low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence on file, specifically regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for a VA examination with a medical nexus opinion.