Hearing loss decisions — 2012

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service or were otherwise related to his period of service, including in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner opined against a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a failure to obtain workers' compensation records and other relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and consideration of functional effects caused by his hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure and ear infections. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as his symptoms have been continuous since separation from service. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss for multiple decades after service and denied the Veteran's claim as there was no showing that his current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions regarding his mental disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be related to service, while his hypertension claim was reopened based on new evidence. The other issues remained unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of service connection for both conditions are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by a pure tone average in the right ear of 20 and a speech recognition score of 96 percent in the left ear. The criteria for an initial rating higher than zero percent for bilateral hearing loss have not been met for any period.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the March 2009 VA examination concluded that current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military service.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. For tinnitus, the Board found that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner and possibly scheduling a new examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current hearing loss disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds the Veteran not entitled to a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss ratings is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and a private hearing examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, as the evidence does not show a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition. The Board finds that the November 2010 VA opinion is highly probative and concludes that the Veteran's hearing loss is less likely related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The weight of the evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to his service.