Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction during his Board hearing in February 2012. The case is therefore dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty, ADSW, and ACDUTRA. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, a right hip disability, and left groin pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise during basic training.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has not reached a final decision on their merits. The Veteran's tuberculosis was denied as not having been incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran's current respiratory disability is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available under applicable rating criteria. The appeal was dismissed as there is no legal basis to award a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran currently has a current disability of tinnitus, but does not have a diagnosed right ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to either condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft engines. The decision is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to concerns about the accuracy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for clarification from the private audiologist regarding the onset of his conditions, as well as further examination by a VA examiner to determine their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Echo Hearing Systems. The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with a slight decrease in hearing acuity during service. The Board affirms the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The right ear hearing loss was noted during service and worsened over time, while left ear hearing loss was first diagnosed in 1980. Service connection is granted as direct service connection.

The Board has determined that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, IBS, chronic headaches, depression, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are REMANDED.