Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ocular hypertension was denied. However, his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a rescheduled videoconference hearing. The issues include evaluations for amputation, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and oligospermia was denied. The Board found that a current disability has not been demonstrated for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring all requested development is completed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that current hearing loss is less likely than not related to service. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic disease within one year post-service, and the VA examiner determined that these conditions are less likely related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to exposure to acoustic trauma during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's testimony regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus worsening, requiring a new VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is as likely as not related to active duty service, and the Board finds that the evidence of record supports a grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The left ear hearing loss disability is currently under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus are not related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is also denied, as the maximum schedular benefit available (a 10 percent rating) has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA clinical records and scheduling an examination to assess the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of causal attribution between the disabilities claimed and an incident of military service. The Veteran's claims are now remanded for a new VA Compensation and Pension examination to address his reported history of in-service noise exposure and post-service symptomatology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased initial rating for PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.