Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee scar, and GERD were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities that would warrant a grant of service connection or an increased rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level I, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that the current level of disability did not warrant an increase.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and readjudication of the issue of entitlement to an initial increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss. Specifically, additional medical records are required to support these claims.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6100, and therefore denies his claim.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability that is related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is the result of in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot ulcers, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination in connection with his hearing loss claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being issued.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his period of active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cardiovascular disease is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected lung disorder. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for tinnitus, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mixed-type hearing loss, with a 50/50 chance of being related to noise exposure during service, warrants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an updated VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his Texas Army National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and back disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.