Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and left ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not incurred during his service, including his 2003 deployment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and dental problems as residuals of a jaw fracture. The VA compensation examinations did not find these conditions to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records, as well as further development of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2012 VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after a new examination is conducted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, thus the claim is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by her active duty service, and thus she is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, neck disability, headache disability, and numbness of the fingers of both hands. The Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability in either ear for VA compensation purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as there are chronic symptoms of hearing impairment in service. Service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during active service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and gunshot wound residuals, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, as evidenced by exposure to loud noise during service and continuity of symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The current medical evidence does not adequately address the Veteran's assertions about in-service noise exposure and post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by mild memory loss, sleep impairment, hyperarousal, anxiety, and some occupational impairment. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his hearing loss disabilities and left inguinal herniorrhaphy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability in the right ear, and that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was no worse than Level II, resulting in a noncompensable rating. His left inguinal herniorrhaphy was rated as well-supported by truss or belt, warranting a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by her active duty service, and thus she is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.