Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination regarding arthritis of various body parts. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence supports his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's calcaneal spur of the left foot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected as they clearly existed prior to his second period of active duty and were aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened based on new evidence received since the prior final denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was caused by hazardous noise exposure from weapons training during active military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, with the latter receiving a 50 percent rating effective July 16, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms of severe nightmares, avoidance, social isolation, depression, anger, and panic attacks are considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his exposure to combat-related acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was noted at the time of his entrance into service. The VA examiner concluded that it did not worsen during service and is related to chronic otitis, which is not service-connected.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a hearing disability during or shortly after service and the audiometric results did not meet VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's current hearing loss is considered to be due to natural progression over time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, as evidenced by negative service treatment records and lack of in-service complaints or diagnoses. The VA examiners found no link between the current conditions and military noise exposure.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during his National Guard service, specifically while working as a cook in close proximity to artillery firing. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining audiometric results and medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and nephrolithiasis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, skin disorder, hernia condition, desmoid tumor condition, rectal cancer with proctoctolectomy, and left arm/shoulder disorder. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also advised that multiple distinct degrees of disability may result in different levels of compensation.

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.,A separate examination is needed to determine if there are any residual issues from a perforated ear drum during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and he received a TDIU effective October 30, 2007. The effective date of the TDIU is based on his original claim for service connection.