Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, as his conditions were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been granted, with the highest rating of 70 percent assigned for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) from October 23, 2008. The other conditions received their respective initial compensable ratings.

The Veteran's initial claim for hearing loss was denied, and a subsequent evaluation in December 2008 granted him a 10% rating. The most recent VA examination in September 2011 showed improvement in his hearing loss, but the current level of disability does not warrant an increase beyond the existing 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensably (zero percent) disabling since December 2005. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and the acquisition of more recent treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right elbow, left elbow, right knee, or left knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also found to be normal at the time of examination and no organic disease of the nervous system is presumed due to service. As such, all claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and etiological opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the evidence does not support a finding that tinnitus is related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by hearing acuity no worse than Level III in the right ear and Level II in the left ear during the rating period. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are causally related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and gastroenteritis. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of acoustic damage upon separation from service. The July 2010 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not related to his military service.