Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, which contributed to his suicide. The Board finds in favor of granting service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's inservice otitis externa and his current hearing loss disability.

The Board has vacated the April 2011 decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and returned these matters to the Board for further proceedings. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a bilateral hearing loss disability or chronic fatigue syndrome, and his symptoms are manifestations of his service-connected systemic lupus erythematosus with Sjogren's syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his inservice injury. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU since March 28, 2006 and his unemployability is due to the severity of these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inconsistencies in the recent VA audiological examination report, and the Veteran should be afforded a new VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current hearing loss, tinnitus, right elbow injury and back injury with service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing medical records and a need for clarification on whether hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, including during service in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus, and denied his claim for service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board noted no evidence of a current disability but also did not find any indication that the Veteran's hearing loss began during or was caused by his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthrosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found no current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his combined disability evaluation is 60 percent, which does not meet the minimum percentage requirements. The RO/AMC must refer the Veteran's TDIU claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of assignment of an extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review, as well as clarification of private audiometric results.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are currently pending as the VA has not yet provided a VA examination to address these conditions, nor have they been evaluated based on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).