Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome with postoperative residuals are denied as the current ratings adequately reflect his disability levels.

Throughout the pendency of the appeal, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no more than auditory acuity level II in both ears. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his service-connected conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been received. The claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions, and thus could not establish service connection based on such exposures.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service combat-related acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these other claims are addressed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to noise exposure in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training was denied because he left his previous employment due to economic reasons, not due to worsening service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support the need for further rehabilitation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation for active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have a direct link to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unemployable due to his mental health conditions. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these disabilities prevent the Veteran from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence of a current disability, and her claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to October 24, 2008 and as 10 percent disabling beginning on that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 24, 2008 but did find it met the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating starting from that date.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and did not show a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are etiologically related to active duty service.