Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and noting that the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability during service or within one year after separation. The only opinion provided by VA indicated it was less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 29, 2004 due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, back disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, visual loss in the left eye, and tinnitus preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 7, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and determined that he has current bilateral hearing loss related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and finds that new evidence supports a link between his in-service noise exposure and current hearing disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to notify the Veteran of his scheduled travel board hearing, and the Veteran's most recent address was not provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, schedule a VA examination, and address the issues of service connection for hearing loss and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2009 VA examination and the need for additional medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss, thus denying the Veteran's request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral heel fractures and related residuals are service-connected, but his back condition, leg disability, numbness of right lower extremity, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of the conditions, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is attributable to acoustic noise trauma during his active military service, and the Board finds that this condition was incurred in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's educational pursuits are reasonably feasible, particularly in light of his successful completion of course work preparation and given the market for clergy in Virginia. The Veteran's vocational goal is to become a pastor, which he has already started pursuing with his own funds.

The Board found no evidence of current ear or respiratory disorders, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed as a substitute teacher and his disabilities limit his ability to perform manual labor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left elbow disability (separate from left ulnar neuropathy), right elbow disability, and right ulnar neuropathy. The appeals were based on a direct relationship to service without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to discrepancies in the Veteran's reported PTSD symptoms and a need for updated medical examination. The claim is being returned to the RO for further development.