Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or since service. The Board found that the Veteran's lay assertions regarding continuity of symptomatology were not credible and probative in light of the evidence. For TDIU, the combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the schedular percentage criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service, and thus, is denied service connection for this disability. For his skin disability (claimed as hives), there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service. Service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and dental records, scheduling a VA examination for PTSD, hearing loss, and dental conditions, and adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and its incurrence or aggravation during such service may not be presumed. The claim for prostate cancer is pending as it relates to a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including both left and right ear hearing loss, is not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service or any other relationship between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The left ear sensorineural hearing loss was shown to exist prior to his period of active service and was not aggravated during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during active military service, including from trucks in his convoy, mortar attacks, engine noise, mine explosions, and gunfire. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unemployable prior to July 15, 2008. The Board found that the evidence does not indicate he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are inextricably intertwined, so they must be deferred until the hearing loss issue is resolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of an OSHA-defined threshold shift during service. The examiner opined that it is less likely as not that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disability, migraine headaches, CNS disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and skin disability (melanoma), have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations. The weight of the evidence does not establish that his current left ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service exposure or manifested within one year following separation from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not incurred in or aggravated by his service. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not show a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for hearing loss disabilities, and these issues are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that new evidence was submitted, but the conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records, including an MRI of the brain and internal auditory canals from December 2012 and a videonystamography conducted in December 2012. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination for his shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and consideration of functional effects.