Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active military service, specifically combat. As a result, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered to be due to in-service personal assault or combat experience.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not show that his PTSD warrants a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate rationale in the VA opinion and incomplete exposure information. The case is now pending further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and a liver disability, were granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran had in-service exposure to herbicides but did not establish a presumptive basis for any of his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is likely due to his exposure to acoustic trauma during his period of active service. The claim for service connection for hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if Meniere's syndrome should be diagnosed based on his service-connected symptoms of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The claim will then be readjudicated with consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities should be rated under Diagnostic Code 6205 for Meniere's syndrome.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was found to have no more than level II hearing in either ear, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable before April 13, 2010, and increased to 10 percent effective that date. The Board found the current rating of 10 percent is adequate based on the schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the remaining issues on appeal due to lack of evidence and procedural errors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the combined effects of all his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be causally related to his military service. The lumbar spine disability is not considered incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The case will be returned to the RO after obtaining any necessary records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are causally related to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, resulting in a grant of service connection.