Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and his service-connected posttraumatic headaches have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent prior to March 15, 2009, and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new examination is required for both left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, antral gastritis, and knee and wrist disabilities. The effective dates for the increased ratings were not granted.

The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of onset during or within one year after service. The Veteran's PTSD was also found not to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, depression, and tinnitus) meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO granted a non-compensable disability rating in June 2009 and later increased it to 20 percent effective January 6, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at Level II, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board concluded that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and finds that new evidence submitted since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board found no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, including any in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right ankle strain, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's skin rash disability claim is referred to the RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen these claims, and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding that his current tinnitus is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disorder, right foot disorder, and hearing loss disability are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

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 claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were granted. However, his claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and cervical spine disability were not supported by evidence of a nexus to active duty service.