Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after scheduling this hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of certain disabilities, including pharyngitis/sinusitis, thoracolumbar spine disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his treatment at a private medical facility.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a compensable rating for headaches. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and dementia), finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as zero percent disabling since the grant of service connection in March 2006, based on his audiometric test results showing levels I for both ears.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and an irregular heartbeat. The claim for an eye disorder as residuals of an insect bite is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 31, 2002 and remains noncompensable for the period between October 31, 2002 to August 7, 2008. For the period after August 8, 2008, a compensable evaluation is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that there was no current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a need for additional evidence and an examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability. The Board denied claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lordosis of the thoracic spine as there is no verified in-service stressor or credible supporting evidence that the claimed events occurred.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have not been reopened because no new and material evidence has been presented to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to any incident during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be afforded another VA medical examination and for opinions to be rendered regarding whether it is more likely than not, at least as likely as not, or less likely than not that any preexisting ear condition increased in severity during his period of active service. The case is now REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss.