Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and they were first reported decades after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the conditions are more likely due to occupational noise exposure and aging.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for left ear hearing loss disability and otitis media are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service, and denied his claims for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and the criteria for a higher initial rating have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is not related to his service, specifically noting that there was no evidence of a compensable level of hearing loss within one year of his separation from active duty. The Board concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and right ankle sprain. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower extremity pain and numbness, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The decision found that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is the result of his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any chronic symptoms of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely as not that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus are related to military noise exposure.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently evaluated at 0 percent (noncompensable).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss due to herbicide exposure, but new evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to such exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The claim is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are a result of his military noise exposure during service. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The low back disability claim is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent since October 18, 2010. Prior to this date, the disability was not compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since May 27, 2009. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

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