Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 80 percent from June 23, 2005 to October 11, 2011 and at 90 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of the assigned ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective December 13, 2007.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for neurofibromatosis, cancer of the jaw, skin cancer, and hearing loss have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records, private medical records, employment records, and SSA disability records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The current VA examination report is deemed inadequate as it does not account for the conversion of pre-induction audiometric findings from ASA units to ISO units, nor does it provide sufficient rationale for its conclusions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his active service, including exposure to noise from aircraft engines and flight line activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty and inactive duty, as well as obtain a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for hearing loss was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from September 4, 2009. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examiner concluded that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30% from July 1, 2008 to December 13, 2009. From December 14, 2009, the rating was increased to 20%. The reduction in evaluation and increase were both proper.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as new evidence received since the April 2006 denial relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims. The Veteran is now entitled to a full merits review of his claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, with a grant of benefits. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability meets the criteria set forth in VA regulations and his lay statements support his claim of noise exposure during combat.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the evidence being at least in equipoise for both conditions. Therefore, service connection is granted.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including whether it is related to service. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.