Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran has a current left ear hearing loss disability as a result of in-service acoustic trauma, but there is no evidence of right ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but these claims are being remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at a 10 percent disability rating from June 5, 2007 to September 24, 2011. Prior to this period, the hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including audiometric test results and medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and his sinus disorder is not related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have been denied as there is no current evidence of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and residuals of heat injuries. The decision regarding the left ear hearing loss claim is based on a lack of new and material evidence, while the decision regarding the residuals of heat injuries claim is based on meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. For tinnitus, the earliest clinical evidence of record is in 2007, approximately 36 years after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a cold injury and bilateral hearing loss, combine to at least 40 percent disability. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to be related to active duty service. Therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure all due process requirements have been satisfied and the record has been adequately developed for appellate review. The case will be readjudicated after any additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for further consideration by the Director of Compensation and Pension Services to determine if an extra-schedular evaluation is warranted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma from helicopters and engine room noise during his military service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining records from Dr. Corbin in Shawnee and St. Anthony's Hospital.

The Board found no evidence of cold injury residuals in the Veteran's hands and denied service connection for left and right upper extremity cold injury residuals. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be likely related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for a right eye disability (ptyrigium) remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss. The appellant's term of active duty for training is considered 'veteran' status, and he must be scheduled for an examination to determine if his tinnitus is related to his right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disability, hearing loss of the right ear, and tinnitus. The issues were found to be not supported by clear and unmistakable evidence that the conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service.