Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor is he bedridden or housebound.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of cold injuries, arthritis, vascular heart disease, and bilateral hearing loss for purposes of accrued benefits. The Veteran died before any VA medical examinations could be performed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to incomplete or unclear evidence, including a need for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, vision loss, and vertigo. The claim for psychiatric disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and refractive error are not service-connected. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of aggravation or direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable due to audiometric test results corresponding to Level I and III for his right ear, and Level I, II, and III for his left ear. The disability picture did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are related to his active duty service, as he was exposed to loud noise during his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and seeking VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of certain conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's Reserve service. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to a failure to issue a statement of the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are service-connected due to secondary service connection via diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is also service-connected due to secondary service connection via diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of a hearing disability for VA purposes on separation from service or within one year of separation. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have sensorineural hearing loss caused by noise exposure in the early 1960s.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss disability was permanently aggravated by noise exposure during a period of ACDUTRA, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or low back disability and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as it is currently shown to be at Level I in both ears.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to noise exposure in service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or a current disability within one year of separation. The Board finds that the Veteran did not experience continuous symptoms of hearing loss or tinnitus after service separation.