Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not etiologically related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities do not render him unemployable as he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation with reasonable accommodations.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for status post multiple rib fractures with neuralgia was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability originated during service and is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria, and no higher rating can be granted. The RO has not provided a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss or follicular eczema.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lipoma excision from the scalp, to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of an excision of a left cheek cyst removal, was denied. The Veteran also did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left varicocele has been granted a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for back disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing clarification of opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets VA's definition of hearing loss and whether his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, as the evidence is in equipoise regarding his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities. The Board grants a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran only appealed issues of hearing loss and tinnitus, not hypertension. The RO subsequently granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines. The Board has also determined that no extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and a change in service connection status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.