Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be causally related to his active service. The Veteran's eye conditions are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service loud noise exposure, which is considered a type of acoustic trauma. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by puretone thresholds over 55 decibels at multiple frequencies, resulting in a 40 percent disability rating as of March 4, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus and a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or any incident thereof.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, it is as likely as not that his currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for various joints and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced tinnitus in service and there is a competent medical opinion linking it to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The claim for reopening a skin disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus denied his claim of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The tinnitus was not linked to his service, as it occurred many years after service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in both ears and a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be directly related to his military service, while the psychiatric disorder is also considered to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disabilities was remanded by the Court. The effective date of his TDIU award is May 2, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, upper respiratory, and right ear hearing loss disabilities were denied as they are not related to his active service.,There is no indication that the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to any period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 3, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the use of the Maryland CNC Test in a February 2008 private audiological evaluation and the numeric results from the audiometric testing at specific frequencies.

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 National Guard personnel and treatment records.