Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining prison records and scheduling VA examinations to address service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of hernia repair with right ilio-inguinal neuropathy was granted. The Board also found new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied low back disorder claim, but did not address service connection for arthritis, head trauma, or sciatica.

The Veteran contends that his currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, specifically his period of active duty for special work from September 4, 2005 to October 18, 2005. The RO must obtain an addendum from the audiologist who performed the August 2010 VA audiology examination and provide an opinion as to whether the currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related only to his period of active duty for special work.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it was incurred during active military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm disability and bilateral hearing loss. For the left arm disability, there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. For bilateral hearing loss, while the Veteran reported in-service noise exposure, the VA examiner found that his current hearing loss was less likely than not related to military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the character of service and several service connection claims. The appeal is pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, head injury residuals, left clavicle injury residuals, low back disability, and sciatica. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, headaches, insomnia, and sleep apnea are all service-connected as they began during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his noise exposure during service. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a request for a hearing and the need to handle this case expeditiously.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his exposure to loud noise during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the upper extremities, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, headaches, and acne vulgaris. The appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical records review.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the effective date being February 5, 2004. The Veteran was also awarded a 100% rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's dizziness and headaches were not incurred in service, his hearing loss existed prior to service, and his respiratory disorder was not linked to service. The claims for these conditions are denied.