Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and evidence, including verification of a period of active duty following September 11, 2001. Further efforts are needed to obtain records related to his service, particularly regarding hearing loss and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in active military service and grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of his periods of active duty. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if his current hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to failure to provide a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate evidence and the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while left ear hearing loss is not shown during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of right ear hearing loss evaluation and PTSD are addressed in the remand that follows.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, resulting in his now having bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to have him reexamined to rate his new bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability was granted, but the condition is not considered secondary to any service-connected disability. The maximum schedular rating of 10% has been assigned for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was caused by noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral hip disorder (on direct and secondary to epilepsy), and essential tremors are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including asking the Veteran to report his employment history and clarifying whether he is currently employed. If unemployed, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have been incurred in service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to be manifested by Level I impairment, resulting in a noncompensable disability evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA audiologist's opinion and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants his claim for service connection.