Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected residual, excision of granuloma from superior segment, right lower lobe is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains pending for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, bronchitis, and bilateral foot calluses. The decision found that while the Veteran was exposed to noise in service, his right ear hearing impairment did not meet VA compensation criteria. His left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were determined to be related to service exposure. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. No new evidence reopened any claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is unrelated to a disease or injury of service origin. The claims for service connection for asthma, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (secondary to diabetes), and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during service and are etiologically related to his active service, thus the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for these conditions.

The case is being remanded for clarification of a March 2006 private audiological examination and for the Veteran to be scheduled for a VA audiological examination. The appeal will then be readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, at worst, results in Level I hearing acuity and does not warrant an increased (compensable) rating for any period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable.,VA audiometric test results show that the Veteran has level I hearing in both ears. The Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in February 2011, which was necessary to determine his entitlement to benefits for service-connected right and left hand numbness.,The preponderance of evidence currently of record does not support the claim for service connection for numbness in the right and left hands as they are not related to a diagnosed disability of service origin.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during his active duty. The claims for service connection were granted.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not caused by his military service, including a head injury in December 1961. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no greater than level I hearing in both ears. The Board finds that the current evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently receiving a noncompensable evaluation. The most recent VA audiological examination conducted in March 2011 showed no greater than Level III hearing acuity in the right ear and Level IV hearing acuity in the left ear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and benign essential tremors were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated during service, and there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology after service.