Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is related to his period of active military service. The issues of hearing loss, hypertension, and lymphoma are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a respiratory/pulmonary disorder to include chronic pneumonia are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence not initially considered by the RO.

The Veteran's contact dermatitis has been rated at 60 percent from June 21, 2006 to July 11, 2007.,From July 12, 2007 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his contact dermatitis.

The Board has determined that further development is required in order to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. This includes scheduling VA examinations, obtaining additional records, and determining if the Veteran currently has these conditions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is adequately contemplated by the current 80 percent rating, and he does not meet the criteria for an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, or perforated ear drums or residuals thereof that is related to service. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and as a result, these conditions are now considered service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss based on continuity of symptomatology since active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for hearing loss or tinnitus, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that any current hearing loss or tinnitus were related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to active military service. The Veteran's tinnitus, however, is likely related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active duty military service, granting both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is a link between the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma and his current diagnosed hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bullous emphysema, status post lobectomy is related to diesel fume exposure in service and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of right ear mastoidectomy did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as they were manifested by a post-auricular scar with no associated tenderness, ulceration, limitation of function of the affected area.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and considering her TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right ear chronic otitis media meets the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating. The issue of entitlement to a separate compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.