Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran is currently receiving disability compensation for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus remands the case for such development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2009 VA examination report. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining a supplemental opinion from an audiologist or otologist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence does not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and clarification, including obtaining medical records from the appellant's private physician (Dr. M.E) and his SSA benefits information.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily hearing loss and tinnitus, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, as the previous examination did not adequately consider his lay assertions of chronic symptomatology during military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric test results consistently showed Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for clarification of a December 2011 computer printout.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA audiology examination, and considering the propriety of a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of hearing or tinnitus problems during service. The VA examiner opined that it would be speculative to attribute current hearing loss and tinnitus to service due to a lack of in-service complaints or diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and obtaining medical opinions on the cause of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating. His tinnitus has been granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic bronchitis with COPD, frostbite injuries to both feet, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left hip arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were granted effective September 27, 2002. His claim for tinnitus was granted effective August 17, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. For tinnitus, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during service and is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not due to exposure to acoustic trauma during his active military service.