Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors that would support a grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to incomplete VA treatment records, lack of examination opinions addressing all relevant evidence, and need for further development.

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

The Board has remanded the case for a VA audiologist to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an otolaryngology evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As a result, service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is withdrawn.,The Veteran's tinnitus was not related to his service, and it is not secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee condition, as well as to address the discrepancy in audiometric test results during service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated following any additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be noncompensable prior to October 11, 2012 and rated at 10% beginning from that date. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a video hearing due to the Veteran's recent move.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision, thus dismissing the case.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has not approximated the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

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

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