Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify Agent Orange exposure and determine the etiology of hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including hypertension, respiratory disorder, chronic sinus infections, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and sores from his right buttock.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence linking his current diagnosed conditions to his military service or any incident therein. For the hearing loss, the Veteran had at most level II hearing in both ears but did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to develop his claims of (1) entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, (2) entitlement to service connection for CAD and (3) whether new and material evidence sufficient to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are related to his military service. Bilateral hearing loss is granted as a result of noise exposure during service. Tinnitus is also linked to service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy to his service or presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence provided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and remanded the case to ensure compliance with all due process requirements, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's hearing loss first became apparent decades after service discharge and does not meet the regulatory requirements for hearing loss disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is based on a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has determined that the current rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not final and requires further development before a determination can be made.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss, resulting in denial of service connection for this condition. The PTSD claim was granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. However, further development is required regarding the underlying claim and the claim is REMANDED to the RO.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand and for a medical examination to determine if his brain tumor is related to service. The hearing loss and glaucoma claims are also deferred until the service connection claim for the brain tumor is resolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and development of the record. The case will be further processed after these actions have been completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability within the meaning of VA regulations, and therefore, service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Specifically, efforts are required to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors for PTSD, obtain service personnel records for relevant individuals, and request any identified medical records.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation related to service.