Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, cold weather injury residuals, migraine headaches, bilateral tendonitis of the feet, and coronary artery disease.,There is no credible evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 7, 2010. The Board previously denied the claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's right ear and left ear hearing loss were rated as Level I, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been shown to be manifested by auditory acuity levels that do not warrant a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and supplemental statements of the case with respect to any new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely than not due to noise exposure during his military service. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the claim of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran is found to have a current disability manifested by bilateral hearing loss that had its clinical onset during service due to exposure to excessive noise levels. The Board finds the evidence in relative equipoise, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the nature of his hearing loss disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown to be productive of no worse than a Level I designation in the right ear and a Level I designation on the left, warranting a noncompensable evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture residuals are manifested by marked limitation of motion due to pain, warranting an increased rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with a 10% disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability cannot be satisfactorily disassociated from his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person and he is in need of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are likely due to noise exposure during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder was denied by the Board. The Veteran currently does not have a disability within the meaning of VA compensation purposes, as his current hearing loss is not shown to meet VA criteria for hearing disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.