Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability, is necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, and tinnitus has been granted. However, the acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as dyssomnia) was not found to be related to service.,Service connection for tinnitus was established based on a finding that it is proximately due to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The left elbow disability claim was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records from the Veteran's period of USAR service. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of his right ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities, and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the likely etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran had some excessive noise exposure during service aboard two aircraft carriers. The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, but he has left ear conductive hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was granted for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via videoconference from the RO. The claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with no clear evidence of noise exposure during service. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran and his wife regarding symptoms since service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not originate during his period of active military service or within the initial post-service year, and is not otherwise related to his in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was denied, but the grant of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability may have implications for the rating assigned for PTSD. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, a neck (cervical spine) disability, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's skin disorder was not related to service, but herpes simplex was found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral and right ear hearing loss were not incurred in service, as the evidence does not meet the regulatory threshold for a disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including consideration of new evidence and readjudication of his claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 30 percent since March 7, 2012. This rating is in line with the current level of impairment as determined by VA audiological evaluations conducted over several years.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss are service-connected due to aggravation during active duty, while tinnitus is also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiometric examination.