Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing sedentary employment, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically the noise exposure he experienced during his active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and posttraumatic headaches are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's employer and any private treatment providers. The Veteran is asked to provide authorizations for VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's hearing acuity was found to be worse than Level I in the right ear and worse than Level II in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, and the Veteran's claims file should be forwarded to the VA physician who examined him in December 2010 for an addendum opinion regarding his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as there was no evidence of their onset during service or a link to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service. The VA examiner opined that his hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely than not due to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to the need for updated medical records and an opinion regarding his ability to follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and flat feet.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral shin disability, and a skin disorder of the hands and feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise trauma in service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that there is no credible evidence linking his current hearing disability to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding the provision of additional payment for woodworking tools under a Department of Veterans Affairs independent living services program.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.