Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, reopened his claims for left ear hearing loss and asthma, and found that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and additional VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA audiological evaluation to determine the current severity of her bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and lumbar spine arthritis, finding that these conditions are attributable to service. The Veteran's tinnitus is linked to noise exposure during service, while his back disability is associated with a fall from a tank in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and unclear opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the reduction in his disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and as a result, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and vision disability do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability.

The Veteran's auditory thresholds in his right ear did not meet the criteria for hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and thus service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current disabilities are not related to his active duty military service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay assertions of noise exposure during service and continuity of symptoms since service were credible. The Board also found that his current tinnitus is likely due to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the residuals of his right knee injury are rated as noncompensable, and he was granted a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The appeal regarding service connection for COPD and TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the VA disability standards for hearing impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess his employability with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability during service. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.