Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for tinnitus and denied the claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss disability. The effective date assigned was July 6, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. Service connection will be considered based on the merits of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including anxiety and depression, hearing loss, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The RO is instructed to obtain SSA records and readjudicate the increased rating claims.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as a pilot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted, and his right ear hearing loss disability rating remains at 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they pre-existed service entry. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to occupational and recreational noise exposure prior to and after military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his in-service combat experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU prior to March 11, 2009 and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including bilateral foot disabilities, left and right hip/knee disabilities, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, residuals of a nasal fracture (including deviated septum), sleep apnea, and chronic folliculitis. The Veteran's hearing loss is also service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and left knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability in either case.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lung disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.,There was no evidence showing a relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service. The skin disorder claim requires further examination and review.

The Board has determined that proper VCAA notice was not provided to the appellant regarding her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded to provide this necessary notice.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to a lack of sufficient information.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.