Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right lumbar radioculopathy, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service spinal injury and arthritis, as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The claim for service connection for residuals of a spinal injury is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that they are related to military exposure to acoustic trauma. Service connection for essential hypertension was denied as it did not have its onset during active duty or within one year of discharge.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and genital herpes, as well as his claims of entitlement to compensable disability ratings for a bilateral foot disorder and the residuals of a right inguinal hernia. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no more than 'Level II' hearing acuity in the right ear and 'Level I' hearing acuity in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, thus restoring entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The claims for service connection and initial rating remain on hold until further notice.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms during service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current tinnitus and hearing loss were caused by his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not incurred in or aggravated by active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and for retrieval of relevant VA outpatient records.

The Veteran's claim of reopening the right ear hearing loss service connection was granted.,The claims for higher ratings for right ankle sprain and residuals of a left knee laceration were denied.,The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, have not been substantiated. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma. His right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to service. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for bilateral upper extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy or left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim was withdrawn during his August 2011 hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, result in a combined 80 percent evaluation and preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of current GERD and hearing loss. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities.