Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, addressing herbicide exposure claims, and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for left ear hearing loss or tinnitus. The evidence shows no in-service complaints of, or treatment for, these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his service-connected hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to in-service noise exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an audiogram from February 3, 2010 and providing a VA examination to assess his TDIU claim. The hearing loss claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a hearing loss disability, which he claims is related to an in-service head injury. The RO/AMC has scheduled him for a VA audiological examination and will review the results before readjudicating his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a new examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent before December 21, 2007 and at 70 percent thereafter. The claim is denied for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active service, while left ear hearing loss may not be presumed due to a lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and vertigo are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim of service connection for tinnitus will be deferred until the other two claims are finally adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, and pes planus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation that would support these claims.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for his service-connected right ear hearing loss disability is denied as the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the complexity of determining his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and tinnitus was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities are related to service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disorder. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted. The right hand disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the first year after discharge.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for diabetes mellitus, knee disabilities, or hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.