Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be manifested by no more than Level I impairment in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability evaluation. The Board determined that the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation were not met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic condition during service. The Veteran's complaints of hearing difficulty began after service and were not linked to any specific incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service, with the onset of tinnitus during active duty. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 21, 2009 and as of that date was denied. The Board found no evidence showing the Veteran's hearing loss disability warranted a compensable rating or any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's high frequency hearing loss of the right ear does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has again remanded the claims for additional development to obtain medical records and provide VA compensation examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be etiologically related to exposure to hazardous noise during active service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the reduction of an evaluation from 10 percent to a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was proper. The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, left knee, and retropatellar syndrome and patellofemoral arthroplasty residuals, left knee, have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased evaluation for residuals of left knee injury was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective February 17, 2010. The appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is considered 'unknown' as it does not pertain to the current decision.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to his service, including noise exposure. Service connection for the disability is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms since service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,For his respiratory disorder (to include emphysema) and heart disorder, further development is needed as these claims are currently pending.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as noncompensable, with Level III hearing loss in both ears. The Board finds that the current evaluation is appropriate based on the audiometric findings.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent evaluation, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding hearing loss and mechanical low back pain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his exposure to noise during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred during his military service and is granted service connection.