Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred during service or due to in-service noise exposure, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is able to function normally without the requirement for such assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board found that the evidence received since the February 2005 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus denying both new and material evidence claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The right shoulder degenerative changes are currently evaluated at 20%.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the appellant's requested travel board hearing. The appeal is now pending for further action.

The Board has determined that a new examination and medical opinion are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as the current VA examiner did not consider all of the Veteran's history or complaints. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to April 5, 2013 and subsequently increased to a 10 percent rating effective from April 5, 2013. The appeal is granted for the higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.,There is no legal basis to grant any of the Veteran's claims as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned for all conditions.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports reopening of his left ear hearing loss claim. The Veteran is also found to have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The case is being remanded for the VA to obtain Social Security Administration records and then review the claim again. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is pending as it was not addressed in this specific decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because he did not have a disability for VA purposes at the time of his separation from active service. The Board found that there is no evidence showing current bilateral hearing loss and thus, service connection could not be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his period of active service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and left ear hearing loss. The Board finds that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for both conditions.