Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to his exposure to hazardous noise levels during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin rashes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, as evidenced by noise exposure during service and post-service sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his hearing loss, PTSD, and urinary tract stone residuals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for another VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The issue of service connection for hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision and is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, stomach disorder, left ankle disorder, and left Achilles tendon disorder are pending. The Veteran does not have established hearing loss related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, with left ear hearing loss being aggravated by service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied, and the reduction from 50% to 30% effective November 1, 2012 was upheld.

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

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the July 2012 private audiologist's report and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss disability and left ear hearing loss disability are also granted, but the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left ear hearing loss disability and the need for VA audiology examinations have been remanded.