Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the claims due to difficulties in scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran while he is incarcerated. The claims will be further developed and reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus disability was incurred or aggravated in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent effective February 4, 2012. The rating is based on the severity of his hearing impairment as determined by VA audiometric evaluations.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including noise exposure during training. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the April 2011 VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be causally related to his history of active and National Guard noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely caused by post-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, with no indication of exposure to any herbicide agent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus, which was previously denied in May 1997.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have its onset during active duty service due to combat noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the withdrawal of his appeal regarding tinnitus, and a need for additional VA examination to determine if current bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected sensorineural hearing loss, and the Board grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have had their onset in service or be related to his military duties. The Board found that the current evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic hearing loss disability in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to his period of active duty.