Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active military service and grants this claim. The right knee disability issue remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ensuring that all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of shrapnel wound residuals of the stomach, and denied service connection for hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing an injury or disease in service. Service connection was also denied for tinnitus as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to a compensable rating based on his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury to both lower extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board finds that his appeal for TDIU must be granted.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the criteria for certification due to lack of service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of feet, hands, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided. The Veteran will need to provide more information about his exposure history and any relevant medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with consideration given to in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.,Service connection was also granted for bipolar disorder with depression. The Board found that hypertension is not related to the Veteran's service or any other condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is considered a service-connected condition, as it meets the definition of a hearing loss disability under VA regulations and was linked to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain and consider private audiology reports, as well as updated VA records. The Veteran's service information supports his reports of exposure to excessive noise during both periods of active service. The examiner is asked to review the claims file and provide opinions regarding whether hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred or increased in severity during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA rating purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and addressing a request for a hearing. The issues of service connection for kidney cancer, back disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hearing loss disability, and migraine headaches.