Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain service treatment records and private medical records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's in-service complaints and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not permanently increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his noise exposure during active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran claims service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which is presumed due to in-service noise exposure. However, the VA examiner's opinion was based on inaccurate factual premises and the Veteran disagrees with this conclusion.

The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination with an ENT physician to determine the etiology of any hearing loss or other disorder of the ears.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for a clarifying medical opinion from an examiner regarding the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is found to be related to his noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ear hearing loss, on an extra-schedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1), is denied as there is no evidence that his disability has markedly interfered with employment or necessitated frequent hospitalization.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at both entrance and separation from service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it meets the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and unverified service dates. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a hearing disability as defined by VA regulations during active service or within one year after separation. The examiner opined that it is less likely than not that noise exposure in service contributed to current hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his left ear hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of the October 2010 audiometric examination and scheduling an examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his time as a gun crew member on a Navy destroyer. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.