Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion. The exposure basis was not provided in the decision, hence 'none'.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left arm injury of the upper left extremity, bilateral glaucoma, left ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea. The appeal was remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or due to any in-service noise exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability level does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been manifested by no more than Level I in either ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during his active duty, National Guard service, or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease relating these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

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

The Board found that the reduction of VA compensation benefits for military drill pay was proper and denied the appellant's appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not show that his hearing loss met or approximated the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable under the applicable VA rating criteria. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability level and symptomatology are fully contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are all found to have been incurred in service.