Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran does not have hearing loss that is attributable to military service, and the Board finds no link between current hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the dismissed issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are missing, and additional efforts must be made to locate them. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for clarification on their etiology, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence indicating an intent to apply for these conditions prior to May 5, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining STRs and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including high frequency hearing loss, PTSD, neck scar, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no significant shift in auditory thresholds during service and post-service audiograms showed normal hearing. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if he has residuals of cold weather injury to his bilateral lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not incurred during his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and his claim for service connection is granted. His claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for a bilateral foot disability or low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 was granted, and he is now rated at 40% effective September 23, 2009.,Service connection for hearing loss was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board finds that the evidence supports the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and new/reopened claims for basal cell carcinoma and keratosis/cysts/chloracne to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a stroke is withdrawn. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was granted as it is presumed to be related to military noise exposure, and the Veteran did not have hearing loss at separation from service.