Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition. The low back disability is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical opinions regarding the appellant's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent effective September 3, 2010. Prior to this date, the highest rating available was 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before it can adjudicate the Veteran's claims, as described in the remand instructions. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus. The Board found that the current evidence did not support higher ratings based on VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his appeals for increased ratings and to reopen service connection claims. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran and obtaining any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for interstitial parotitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and residuals of cold injury of the upper and lower extremities. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service noise exposure, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and denied a compensable initial disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is related to his military service, while his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were all granted, with the exception of her claim for bronchial asthma. The Board found that she did not have a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be incurred during service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a current disability.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, manifested by Major Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which the Board found to be appropriate given his symptoms. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with current evidence supporting this determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA audiological examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are on appeal.