Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a disability within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, knee, skin, psychiatric, and left ankle disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for peripheral neuropathy was not addressed due to the absence of a specific request.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 0 percent disabling, and the claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by a respiratory infection, with significant contributing conditions including service-connected disabilities. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, including significant in-service acoustic trauma during basic training. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records, including a December 2001 audiological consultation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to exposure to loud noises in service, granting service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no current hearing loss disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus the claim must be denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent, as his audiometric test results showed no more than level V hearing loss for the right ear and level IV hearing loss for the left ear during the appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The appellant's in-service acoustic trauma is established, as are his current symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as his condition has reportedly deteriorated since his last examination in February 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent from December 30, 2005 to February 26, 2009 and at 70 percent from February 26, 2009 onward. The effective date is not specified.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and for obtaining any pertinent outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint was also denied, with the Board finding that the evidence did not show that his condition had worsened since the last examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since October 28, 2011. Prior to this date, the claim for a compensable rating was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left arm disability is rated at 20 percent, which approximates a severe muscle damage with difficulty in carrying, lifting and raising. The rating will remain unchanged as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection in October 2005. The most recent VA audiological evaluations have shown that his hearing impairment does not warrant an increase to a higher rating.