Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied at each stage, with the RO assigning staged ratings of 10 percent prior to April 8, 2010 and 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and numbness and tingling of the lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service. The right ear hearing loss claim was also denied as the combat presumption contained within 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b) was rebutted.

The Veteran's mood disorder was found to have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and therefore granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and dysphagia are addressed on remand.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied prior to June 24, 2009. From that date forward, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic disability. The examiner opined that it is not possible to determine if military noise exposure caused current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to unclear audiometric test results and insufficient etiological opinions regarding tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically related to noise exposure in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, tinnitus, right knee disorders, and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss impairment or service connection for tinnitus. The appellant's claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been decided.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability was first manifested in service and is considered to be the result of disease or injury incurred therein. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is likely attributable to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service combat exposure, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records and VA examination reports, including a PTSD, hearing loss, and gunshot wound residuals of the left forearm examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, but he currently has right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a disability at present. Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, and no higher evaluation is warranted.