Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss on or after March 14, 2013 has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review this part of the appeal and it is dismissed.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain any relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that further efforts are needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The VA examination reports do not address whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss during his National Guard service. Therefore, the case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mood disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left sided leg weakness, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to perform activities of daily living without regular aid and attendance from another person. His need for such assistance is due to his severe lower extremity weakness caused by his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also granted, but a new VA examination is needed to determine its severity.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his active duty service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing and obtain additional medical records. The issues of increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for mild traumatic brain injury with residuals of vertigo are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and the Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of head injuries. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is presumed, and his current disabilities are found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the presence of current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and noise exposure in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions from the VA audiological examiners regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an examination and expert opinion, as well as obtaining more recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his exposure to loud noise during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be incurred as a result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a fractured right tibia and fibula, osteoarthritis of the right hip, donor site scars of the right leg, absence of a right lateral cutaneous nerve, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that TDIU is warranted based on these service-connected disabilities.