Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his right ear hearing loss rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was granted. The effective date for this change is October 11, 2002.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability and thus not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and chronic sinusitis. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards. As such, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent and credible evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to consider these issues on the merits and address any inextricably intertwined claim of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish that the Veteran had bilateral hearing loss during service or within one year post-service. Service connection for depression is pending.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, a right knee condition, or a right shoulder condition. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, including exposure to significant in-service acoustic trauma during combat in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under the Employment Through Long Term Services program due to his already having suitable employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during his military career as an electronic technician and combat aircrewman. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that was incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus attributable to active military service. The left ear hearing loss was noted prior to service and did not undergo a chronic or permanent worsening during service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is considered a disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability did not warrant such a rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since January 4, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is dismissed as the Veteran was satisfied with the current rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Tinnitus is etiologically related to hazardous noise exposure sustained while in active service.