Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim on appeal can be adjudicated, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and obtaining clarification from the private audiologist regarding the January 2009 private audiology report.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for left ear pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his audiometric test results did not warrant such a rating based on the applicable regulatory criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address deficiencies in the previous VA examination reports, particularly regarding the sufficiency of the in-service injury and nexus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, a cardiac disability (claimed as chest pain), and a right knee disability. The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be incurred in service, while his back disability may not be presumed due to its lack of onset during service or within one year thereafter.

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

The Board found that there is no evidence of hearing loss during service, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner opined that it was not possible to determine whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability that can be linked to her in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since April 14, 2004. The VA audiological evaluations conducted did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension may be necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, were found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2011. However, the criteria for a TDIU before that date were not met due to his combined disability rating being less than 60%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 20, 2012 and beginning August 20, 2012 is denied as there is no evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of bilateral hearing loss disability or any skin disorder of the left foot due to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and right eye disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and status post right thumb and right index finger injury are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active service, and thus granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not presumed due to exposure to noise. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no direct evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.