Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with level I impairment in both ears. The Board finds that the current evaluation accurately reflects his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of pneumonia including lung disease due to lack of evidence showing chronic in-service symptoms or a relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification from the Family Hearing Aid Center regarding their speech recognition test results, and a new VA audiological examination with an audiologist other than the one who conducted the February 2012 examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right talus fracture, right knee arthritis, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss disability was granted, with a 10% evaluation effective from November 24, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for higher ratings. Service connection for residuals of left ankle fracture was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, perforated right tympanic membrane (eardrum), and other ear disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and whether it is related to service or his service-connected hearing loss disability.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee and ankle disabilities, respiratory disability, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology for any of these conditions since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss did not begin in service or are otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's prostatitis has been granted service connection, and the Board is not addressing the other issues in this decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it does not meet the regulatory criteria for a disability at separation from service. However, given his account of in-service acoustic trauma and his combat status, the claim will be granted based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder, and blood disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and clarifying opinions from private audiologists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as there is evidence of current disabilities and in-service exposure to noise. The benefit of doubt rule was applied due to the equipoise of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.