Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability, including his pre-existing left ear hearing loss aggravated by hazardous noise exposure during service, was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. His appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no significant shift in his hearing thresholds during service and post-service treatment records showed normal hearing. The Veteran's lay statements of experiencing hearing loss since service are considered less probative due to lack of consistency.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service or within one year of his discharge from service and has not been shown to be the result of disease or injury incurred during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a job description from the Veteran's former employer and scheduling an examination to assess the effect of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on employability. The claim will be readjudicated based on whether the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and National Guard service records. The Board will also request a new opinion on the etiology of his bilateral knee conditions and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset during service, was not shown to be related to noise exposure in service, and is unrelated to any chronic disease or injury. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The skin disorder claim was remanded and remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a job description from the Veteran's former employer and scheduling an examination to assess the effect of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on employability. The claim will be readjudicated based on whether the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an autoimmune disorder, ulcerative colitis/IBD, and arthritis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to the VARO for further development and adjudication due to inadequate examination in determining the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing impairment meets VA criteria and is related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance (A&A) has been denied as he is not shown to be in need of such care.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a sternum fracture, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

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

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating schedules.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion considering all pertinent evidence, including his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.