Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is being remanded. The skin condition claim remains pending as it was not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability rendered him unemployable between December 8, 2008 and May 5, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and left shoulder bursitis. The claim of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his active duty service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is as likely as not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's urinary disability, to include BPH, was not manifested in service and is not shown to be related to his service. Service connection for a urinary disability, to include BPH, is denied.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that his condition is due to noise exposure during active military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and thoracic outlet syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to active service. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for lung condition, cracked ribs with arthritis, bilateral foot condition and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to January 4, 2011 was denied. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss beginning January 4, 2011 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to return the claims file to the Veteran's representative for preparation of a more comprehensive VA Form 646. The Veteran and his representative have been provided an opportunity to review the claims file and prepare their arguments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI were denied as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing was clinically normal at both VA examinations conducted.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and denied an initial compensable evaluation for the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his tinnitus was granted. The Board is remanding the claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss due to its last examination being more than two years ago and the Veteran's contention that his symptoms have worsened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to May 2006 and any private treatment records from St. Josephs.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not reporting for a requested hearing. The claims of reopening service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim to establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted such on the merits. The evidence submitted since the last final denial shows that the Veteran experienced bilateral hearing loss during his military service, which is considered noise-induced.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his active duty service, nor are they presumed due to noise exposure. The Board denied these claims based on the lack of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest within one year of discharge and is not etiologically related to service. The claim for tinnitus was remanded.