Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability level does not warrant a higher evaluation. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on the combined effect of service-connected disabilities is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding employment impact.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely attributable to noise exposure during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case on his claims for hearing loss and ischemic heart disease, as well as for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His pure tone thresholds were within normal limits, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased initial rating issue for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete VA and private treatment records, unclear February 2009 private audiogram results, and need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The case is being remanded for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The issues on appeal include whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, as well as entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted service connection. The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss are not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an effective date prior to September 25, 1996, for bilateral hearing loss and prior to January 18, 1994, for TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hand Raynaud's syndrome, a left hand scar, and a left hand gun wound, meet the schedular percentage criteria for TDIU. The Board finds an approximate balance of favorable and unfavorable evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim, granting TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from February 23, 2009 to December 16, 2010 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under applicable VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss for VA purposes during active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus remains November 30, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus arose during active service and is granted service connection. However, his bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet VA's disability requirements and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical opinions and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sinusitis and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. No new evidence was presented to support other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to difficulties in obtaining service treatment records and requests for additional evidence from alternate sources. The Veteran's claims for ear problems, hypertension, tinnitus, hearing loss, and headaches are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and laceration scar of the anterior scalp are currently rated as noncompensable. The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the audiometric and skin examination results provided.