Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of previous audiometric test results.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise trauma in an artillery unit. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiology examination and additional development of his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest during active service or within one year thereafter, and there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying service periods and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as secondary to service-connected sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions warranting presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a 20% disability rating prior to November 5, 2009 and a 30% disability rating thereafter.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability had its onset in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have onset in service or be caused by his active military service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The low back disability and residuals of a fractured coccyx are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a head injury or TBI were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was not manifested in service or within one year post-service, and thus did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of audiometric findings showing a hearing loss disability during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected right index finger fracture and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination for these conditions.