Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 10% rating and the bilateral hearing loss maintaining its current non-compensable evaluation. The frostbite of the left foot was rated at 20% effective August 1, 2011.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 22, 2010 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including records from private physicians and VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU, are denied. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a noncompensable rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle sprain are pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, bilateral tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of creative organ, and bilateral hearing loss with effective dates of November 30, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the left calf were incurred in the line of duty and not caused by willful misconduct, thus granting service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability, right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and chronic bronchitis is granted as his current diagnosed lumbosacral spine disc disease was aggravated by in-service combat-related trauma.

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

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claim for lumbar spinal stenosis, status post laminectomies with radiculopathy and his initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss were both denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of frostbite of the feet due to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of a compensable rating for high frequency hearing loss of the left ear remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and any relevant private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for residuals of burns to the right shoulder and thorax and cornea. The decision is based on current evidence not indicating a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes in his right or left ear hearing loss, and thus service connection cannot be established. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service.