Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from the appellant's reported 1955 service and attempting to obtain audiometric test results.

The Board has granted service connection for numbness and tingling of the fingertips and both hands (bilateral CTS), finding that it was incurred in service.

The VA determined that the appellant's current left ear hearing loss is not service-connected, as it was present prior to his entry into military service and did not worsen during his active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been shown to warrant a compensable initial disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and no higher rating is warranted based on the objective audiometric findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his in-service noise exposure, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner determined that the disabilities more likely than not resulted from post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination and the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his hearing loss is etiologically related to active service. The Board grants entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted service connection. The appeal for an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiology examination and issuing a statement of the case regarding his claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service disease/injury related to the conditions, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive provisions. For the hearing loss claim, the Veteran's disability did not manifest within one year after service, nor does he have a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for compensation.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee condition.,No new evidence was submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a nervous condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent for both ears, with no higher ratings warranted due to the current audiometric test results. The claim was denied as there were not sufficient grounds to grant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the Veteran did not have current complaints of ringing in his ears, and there is no evidence of such during or after military service. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, as the Veteran's STRs showed normal hearing at both entrance and separation. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss was not related to military noise exposure.