Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA examination for hearing loss, and affording the Veteran an opportunity to respond.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's disability is currently rated as zero percent due to his hearing acuity being level II under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with somnambulance were initially granted in December 2003, but the effective date was set at November 8, 2003. The Veteran appealed for a higher rating and an earlier effective date. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to July 1, 2004 were not met, while finding that from July 1, 2004, the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent were met.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since May 16, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating based on his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's current right and left ear hearing loss did not have its onset during any period of active duty service, was not aggravated by active duty service, and is not otherwise related to active duty service. Therefore, the criteria for establishing service connection for both ears' hearing loss were not met.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, specifically exposure to loud noise from weapons, tanks, and aircraft. The current opinion is inadequate as it does not consider the regulatory presumption of in-service onset for certain diseases.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain the audiological evaluation results referenced in March 2009 VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service as a combat medic. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. The claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disability or bilateral hearing loss that is causally related to his active service. The first recorded complaints of back pain and hearing loss occurred more than twenty-five years after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and back disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran's current complaints of hearing loss were not shown during service or within one year post-service, and his back disability was not noted during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cluster headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, with the August 2012 VA opinion providing a detailed rationale for this conclusion. The hearing loss is not considered due to military noise exposure as it was normal at separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.