Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to properly assess the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, as the current evidence does not account for whether any hearing loss diagnosed after service was caused by service. The Veteran will be provided with an opportunity to obtain and submit any relevant medical records.

The case is being remanded for further examination to address the functional effects of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) for an extra-schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, but finds in favor of service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by level I hearing in each ear throughout the appeal period, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. The criteria for an initial compensable rating are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for tinnitus was also granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been rated as non-compensable since the initial grant of service connection. The VA examinations conducted have shown varying degrees of hearing impairment, but none that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine if his current heart disorder and any chronic blood disorder are proximately due or aggravated by the septicemia associated with his liver abscess in 1975.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to provide the Veteran with proper VCAA notice regarding his secondary service connection claim for alcoholism.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for hearing loss of the right ear due to in-service noise exposure, but not for hearing loss of the left ear as it does not meet VA's criteria for a disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The relationship between tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as the etiology of the hearing loss itself, will be addressed in this examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a skin examination to determine if any current skin disorder is related to in-service exposure to chemicals, and scheduling an audiological examination to assess the nature and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.