Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dysthymia/depressive disorder and Sturge-Webber syndrome, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the April 2009 VA examination is inadequate to adjudicate the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure to noise. As a result, all reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to significant in-service noise exposure resulting from his duties as a demolition specialist during World War II. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset in service and is related to her noise exposure during active duty. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during active service, were not related to service, and are not compensable disabilities. Therefore, his claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability, and any pre-existing hearing impairment did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The underlying claims are now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent under the applicable VA schedule.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective October 18, 2012. The initial rating prior to that date remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a sleep disorder, diagnosed as shift work sleep disorder. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his sleep disorder is linked to his in-service shift work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of his separation from service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.