Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hearing loss, but has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was incurred or aggravated during his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to noise exposure during active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is related to noise trauma in service. The case is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The IME opinion supports a finding that his current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, despite normal audiometric results at separation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate nexus opinion in the June 2005 VA examination report.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner and considering new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure pertinent records and obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of a change in the severity of his conditions since the most recent examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as there is no medical evidence showing these conditions are related to his active service, including noise exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective April 17, 2006. The Board found that the TDIU award could not be earlier than this date due to the one-year rule.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but did not specify which conditions or issues.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and service connection for various conditions were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new disability evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for urethritis, residuals of burns on neck, face and scalp, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was also denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for psychiatric disability prior to July 12, 2007 and thereafter, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for benign essential tremor of the upper extremities prior to July 12, 2007 and thereafter. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA audiological and psychiatric examinations to address the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disk disease and strain, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and residuals of Cesarean section are not service-connected as her current conditions did not manifest during active duty or within one year thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to verify his periods of service and determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, right elbow disability, and skin cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss in the left ear is related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and cannot be presumed to have started during or within one year after his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is denied.