Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board denied an extra-schedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that it does not result in impairment of earning capacity such as to warrant one.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a foot disability was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for his cervical spine disability were both denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. The upper back and shoulders disorder claim remains pending as an examination was not conducted.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and clarification of medical opinions regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, right lung cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining post-service treatment records and addressing a claim for service connection for Meniere's disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional, pertinent evidence being added to his case file.

The Board finds that there is an approximate balance of competent favorable and unfavorable evidence to relate the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss to service. The Veteran's myeloproliferating disorder, possibly essential thrombocythemia or leukocytosis, has been diagnosed but no definitive link to Agent Orange exposure has been established.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than February 1, 2009, for the payment of a dependency allowance for his spouse. The Board denied this claim as the completed VA Form 21-686(c) was not received by VA within one year from the notification letter in May 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing impairment at separation from service. The VA opinion provided a thorough rationale for this conclusion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his period of active service. The issue of hepatitis was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus started while on active duty and has continued since then, warranting service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his military service. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for additional development and consideration of the claims in light of all pertinent evidence, including any submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service medical records do not show any evidence of hearing loss during or immediately after his military service. A VA audiologist concluded that the current bilateral hearing loss is less likely as not related to acoustic trauma in service, given the long latency period between service and diagnosis.

The Board is expanding the Veteran's claim to include other ear disorders, including otitis media with suppuration, ear infections, and perforated eardrum. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and hypertension due to service-connected PTSD, as well as any other issues related to his service connection claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be manifested by no more than Level II hearing acuity, bilaterally. The Board granted a compensable evaluation of 10% for his bilateral hearing loss as of April 12, 2010.