Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and vertigo are still under consideration.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to new and material evidence. However, the issues of service connection for bilateral eye disorders remain closed as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for brain disease due to trauma with headaches and dizziness is granted. The claim for PTSD is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not show a nexus between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and osteoarthritis of the right knee were dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to in-service noise exposure. The RO will arrange for such an examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to noise exposure during military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The September 2005 rating decision granted a 40% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, which was later reduced to 30% in February 2010 due to CUE.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and duodenal ulcer render him unemployable, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss is more likely due to presbycusis or age-related changes, rather than service connection. For his back, hip and leg disabilities, additional VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred in service, as evidenced by noise exposure during sharpshooting duty and post-service treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average pure tone threshold of 24 dB in the right ear and 31 dB in the left ear. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board is dismissing these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not etiologically related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding that new evidence submitted since the June 2008 decision is not material to reopen the claims.