Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to the RO for additional action regarding his claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a headache disorder.

The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is recognized, but he does not meet the criteria for a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of a current disability and the claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is productive of no higher than level II hearing acuity in each ear, resulting in a zero percent disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable based on the current level of impairment, with puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores indicating a Level I or II impairment in each ear. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 30, 2010 and is currently rated at 20% thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records, particularly Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with the onset likely occurring during or shortly after service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for this case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision did not address service connection for left knee disorder or increased evaluation for thoraco-lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss requires additional development, including scheduling a new VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both incurred in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, hearing, and tinnitus conditions were not incurred in service. The eye disorder claim was not addressed as it is unclear if there was a current disability during the pendency of the claim.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.