Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, while his right and left foot disabilities were not addressed due to a lack of examination. The appeal is denied for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since June 10, 2010. Prior to that date, the rating was 10 percent.

The Board found that a chronic ear disorder, to include bilateral hearing loss, did not have its onset during active military service and is not otherwise related thereto.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 28, 2007, for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law has already been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims. The issues include service connection for sciatica, initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her service connection claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and shin splints have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. The preexisting conditions were not aggravated during service, and there is no evidence of an increase in severity.

The Veteran has provided competent and credible testimony of experiencing intermittent tinnitus from active service forward, consistent with the conditions and circumstances of his military service in an artillery unit. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has tinnitus that began during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to scheduling conflicts for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the scheduled hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disorder of the colon, to include diverticulitis, bilateral hearing loss, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision found that preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unemployable since May 2006. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of cervical spine fusion and left ear hearing loss to allow for additional development. The issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Veteran died of cardiac arrest due to gastrointestinal bleeding. The Board found that his service-connected conditions (major depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The left knee condition is not addressed as it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not considered to be related to his military service, including noise exposure.